news RoR Invites Nominations for two prestigious Awards for former racehorses

• Nominations now open for The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year and the new The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award

• RoR Awards night on Wednesday 31 January 2024 at The Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is delighted to invite nominations for two prestigious RoR awards; the new Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award and The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Award. The winner of each award will be revealed at the RoR Awards on 31 January 2024, at the historic Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket.

The RoR Awards night provides a focus for the racing and equestrian worlds to celebrate the versatility and adaptability of thoroughbreds. The night includes presentations of the RoR Elite Series Champions across a total of seven different equestrian disciplines; dressage, endurance, showing, eventing, polo, showjumping and hunting.

The Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award is a new award open to any individual, former racehorse partnership or an organisation that can show how using a former racehorse has made a significant impact on the quality of people’s lives and helped to make a difference in their community. Examples could include an important role your former racehorse has played in equine assisted therapy or education, or something unique that has enabled or empowered those less fortunate.

Introduced in 2014, The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Award is firmly established as one of RoR’s most coveted titles. Previous recipients include well-known and popular former racehorses Liverpool, Monet’s Garden, Beware Chalk Pit, Monkerty Tunkerty, the late HM The Queen’s horse Quadrille and the incumbent title holder, First Fandango.

Nominations for The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Award are open to all RoR registered former racehorses who can demonstrate how they have successfully transitioned from racing to a new career. The winner will once again receive the perpetual bronze trophy, as well as Club Admission and Hospitality for two people for the Opening Day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival meeting.

RoR’s Managing Director, David Catlow said: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust to create a new award to highlight the special bond horses develop with people and to demonstrate the impact that thoroughbreds can have to improve both physical and mental well-being.”

On behalf of the trustees of The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, Nigel Payne said: “We have no doubt that Peter would have enjoyed seeing his charitable trust associated with RoR, as they not only highlight the excellent work done promoting a new life for horses after racing, but also the very real impact that former racehorses can have to help change peoples’ lives for the better.”

Nevin Truesdale, CEO The Jockey Club, said: “As long-term supporters of the RoR Horse of the Year Award, we are delighted to once again be involved with this prestigious event. This award is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the successful second careers that so many thoroughbreds enjoy when they retire from racing.”

More information about the criteria and entry for either of the RoR Awards can be found at www.ror-events.org.uk Nominations open from 1st November 2023 and will close at 5pm on Monday 20 November 2023. RoR will publish a shortlist of 12 horses for each award on 29 November 2023 to go forward to the RoR judging panel to determine the three finalists for both The Jockey Club RoR Horse of the Year Award and The Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Community Impact Award. From 18 December 2023 to 19 January 2024 the public will be able to vote on the finalists to decide the winner of each award.

The RoR Awards night is packed with heartfelt stories of resilience and emotion, surprises and magical moments, once again capturing the hearts and enjoyment that former racehorses bring to many peoples’ lives long after they have retired from racing.