news Finalists announced for 2025 RoR Awards: Vote now for RoR Horse of the Year Award and RoR Community Impact Award

Press Release

Public voting is now open until 5pm 10 January 2025

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is delighted to announce the opening of the public vote to determine the winners of two prestigious awards: the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award and The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Award.

After receiving nominations from across the racing and equestrian communities, an independent RoR judging panel faced the difficult task of selecting the top three finalists for each award. The panel, made up of industry experts, carefully reviewed the impact and inspiring stories behind each nominee. For the Horse of the Year Award, the panel decided to extend the list to four finalists due to a strong and closely contested field.

The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award seeks to recognise any individual, former racehorse partnership, or organisation that has made a significant contribution to the lives of people through their work with a former racehorse. The finalists for this award are:

• Samantha Barton from Redberth Croft CIC with Up For An Oscar
• Grace Muir from HEROS Charity
• Louise Robson from Thoroughbred Dressage with Forth Bridge

The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Award acknowledges former racehorses who have excelled in their new roles following their racing careers. The finalists for this award are:

• Amroth Bay and Sophie Kington
• Evron and Stella Bunn
• Master Wickham and Claire Lewis
• Second Brook and Lesley Sayers

The winners of both awards will be determined by the public through our online voting system. To view the finalists’ stories and cast your vote before 5pm 10 January, please visit RoR Awards.

David Catlow, Managing Director of RoR, commented: "We’re excited to launch the public voting for both of these prestigious awards. The outstanding nominations we received made selecting finalists a tough task for our judges. Each story underscores the incredible versatility of former racehorses as they transition into new careers, as well as the unwavering dedication to their care and wellbeing shown by those committed to aftercare."

The 2025 RoR Awards

The 2025 RoR Awards will take place at Cheltenham Racecourse on Festival Trials Day on 25 January 2025. This exciting new venue for the awards provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the adaptability and versatility of Thoroughbreds in their post-racing careers alongside the excitement of live racing. The event will also include the presentation of the RoR Elite Series Champions across seven equestrian disciplines: dressage, endurance, eventing, hunting, polo, showing and showjumping.

The 2025 RoR Awards will be especially meaningful as they coincide with RoR’s 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of commitment to the welfare of former racehorses. RoR has dedicated itself to ensuring that these magnificent animals enjoy lives filled with dignity, love, and fulfilment long after their racing careers come to an end.