news Time Down Under comes out on top as Tattersalls Showing Champion

• Career highlight for eight-year-old with Hickstead win in Tattersalls sponsored final

The final of the Tattersalls RoR Show Series was held yesterday, Sunday 26^th June, at Hickstead and produced a dream result for Justine Armstrong-Small and her eight-year-old gelding, Time Down Under.

In being crowned Tattersalls Elite Champion 2022, one of the most prestigious and competitive awards in the calendar for former racehorses, Time Down Under completed the transformation from unsuccessful racehorse to illustrious title holder in the show-ring.

A son of Aussie Rules, Time Down Under failed to beat a single horse in three starts in 2016 for former trainer Mark Tompkins. Following his retirement from racing and under the care of owner and rider Justine Armstrong-Small, Time Down Under has since reinvented himself and is now thriving in showing classes.

The Tattersalls Open Ridden Show Series final was held in the main arena at Hickstead and comprised the judges’ top four selections from both the finals of the Flat and National Hunt divisions held earlier in the day. The runner-up to Time Down Under and Reserve Champion, was Minella Rebellion, ridden by Katie Dashwood. Last year Minella Rebellion and Katie Dashwood won the title of Supreme Champion at The Jockey Club RoR National Championships but their hopes of completing a famous double were thwarted by Time Down Under.

Meanwhile, the winner of the Tattersalls RoR Amateur Ridden Final was Wonga Swinger, ridden by his owner Tori Thomas. Wonga Swinger is a 12-year-old gelding whose career started in point-to-points before winning twice over hurdles for trainer Sam Thomas prior to his last race in July 2018. Reserve was Symphony Of Kings and Holly Gray.

This was the second occasion that the amateur series has culminated at Hickstead. Included among those who qualified for the finals were former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree and the former Goldophin owned and Group 1 placed Vancouverite.

Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, said: “It is wonderful and fitting to stage the final of these two series at such a prestigious event as Hickstead’s Derby weekend, it makes for a great target for the riders to aim at. Tattersalls are wonderful supporters of RoR and have been involved with the charity’s showing classes from the very beginning.

“With over half of RoR’s database of former racehorses turning their hoof to showing, amongst other activities, the partnership with Tattersalls ensures the future of the RoR showing series and will enable each of the respective series to grow and have a wider reach throughout Great Britain

2022 is the first full year that Tattersalls have sponsored all six of the RoR showing series. In total over 170 showing qualifiers are held annually in Great Britain, with a geographical spread from Aberdeenshire to Cornwall. Qualifying classes are held at county and Royal shows, including Royal Windsor and the Royal Welsh Show, as well as at smaller venues, such the Blakesley Show and Wincanton Horse Show.