news York parade showcases versatility of retrained racehorses

• RoR Parade kindly sponsored by Juddmonte

A wonderfully diverse collection of post-racing careers for former racehorses will be on show at York Racecourse on Sunday as part of the raceday activities at the upcoming Tribute Weekend meeting.

Taking place before racing, the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Parade, kindly sponsored by Juddmonte, showcases the remarkable versatility of the thoroughbred together with the range of options open to racehorses when they finish their racing careers. The nine-horse line-up includes horses that are excelling in such diverse activities as western riding and horseball, as well as the more traditional disciplines of dressage and showing.

The RoR Parade features York Racecourse’s own equine ambassador, Goldream, the Group 1 winning sprinter now based at New Beginnings, the Yorkshire charity that retrains and rehomes former racehorses. Alongside Goldream will be several horses with less impressive racing CVs but who have found their niche after racing.

In a ten-race career spanning two seasons, Midnight Robbery never finished in the first three and it was not until he changed disciplines that he started to thrive. Retrained as a western riding horse by Bedale based Emma Lonie, Midnight Robbery now competes in Western Trail, Ranch Riding and Horsemanship classes all over the country, as well as performing at invitational displays showcasing Western Riding for former racehorses.

Also in the parade are two former racehorses now competing at international level in horseball; a team sport, likened to rugby or basketball on horseback. Between them, neither Peveril Point nor Touch Of Faith troubled the judge in their racing careers but since retiring from racing they have been retrained to compete in horseball. Husband and wife team, David and Jude Worthington, have overseen the turnaround in the fortunes of both horses, converting them into leading players in the horseball leagues.

Completing the line-up in the parade are horses who are enjoying their post-racing careers doing a combination of dressage, showing and eventing, many achieving notable successes in these popular and competitive disciplines.

Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, said: “The clear message to be taken from this York parade is that whatever shape or size a racehorse is, and irrespective of its ability on the racecourse, there is a suitable post-racing career path awaiting. Such is their versatility thoroughbreds can turn their hoof to virtually anything, from western riding to dressage or horseball. Our thanks to York for the opportunity to parade these fabulous horses and to Juddmonte for their generous support and sponsorship.”

RoR Parade, York Racecourse, 2.30pm, Sunday 22^nd May

1. BOTHWELL CASTLE – ridden by Melissa Fawcett
15-year-old gelding by Captain Rio, formerly trained by Patrick Haslam
Breeder – Stephanie Hanley

2. BRIDGE VALLEY – ridden by Ruth Wilkinson
15-year-old gelding by Avonbridge, formerly trained by Jason Ward
Breeder – D J and Mrs Deer

3. CHAPLIN BAY – ridden by Molly Inman
10-year-old gelding by Fastnet Rock, formerly trained by Ruth Carr
Breeder – Stonethorn Stud Farms Ltd

4. GOLDREAM – ridden by Pippa Norris
13-year-old gelding by Oasis Dream, formerly trained by Robert Cowell
Breeder – Tsega Breeding Ltd

5. MIDNIGHT ROBBERY – ridden by Emma Lonie
9-year-old gelding by Dick Turpin, formerly trained by Bryan Smart
Breeder – Mrs M Shenkin

6. MOORLANDS MIST – ridden by Sara Ender
15-year-old by Fair Mix, formerly trained by Sara Ender
Breeder – Mrs L M Williams

7. NEARLY CAUGHT – ridden by Holly Harrison
12-year-old by New Approach, formerly trained by Hughie Morrison
Breeder – Irish National Stud

8. PEVERIL POINT – ridden by David Worthington
7-year-old by Canford Cliffs, formerly trained by Henry Tett
Breeder – Denis McDonnell

9. TOUCH OF FAITH – ridden by Jude Worthington
8-year-old by Zoffany, formerly trained by Michael Appleby
Breeder – Jusoor Syndicate