RoR Horses for Courses Ambassadors
In early 2023 we launched an exciting new initiative to showcase the care given and opportunities available to racehorses once their racing days come to an end.
Meet our Horses for Courses ambassadors:
Definitly Red
Definitely Red was the winner of 14 races, running at Aintree six times and lining up for the Grand National twice. Known as Red at home, he has turned his hoof to many things with his owner Andy, and has enjoyed most success in RoR showing classes.
Side Glance
Side Glance was the winner of eight races including the Group 3 Diamond Stakes at Epsom. Sidey (as he is known) and his owner Leanne take part in many different activities. In his ambassador role, he has visited care homes and schools, attended race days, and most recently been the face of the Royal Ascot campaign.
Sleepy Haven
Sleepy Haven was a five-time winner while in training. Noddy, as he is known, has a big personality and a love for treats. Lilli, his owner, and Noddy take part in low level showjumping, and plan to give dressage a go this season.
Duke of Navan
Duke of Navan was the winner of six races, including the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso in 2013. The Duke, as he is known at home, has a brilliant character and temperament and can be seen out hunting and showing with owner Kelly.
Jack The Truth
Ten-time winner Jack The Truth is described as being brilliant and fun by his owner Sophie. Jack, as he is known, is performing well in the show ring and likes to hack out in the countryside and spend time in the field with his friends when he isn't showing.
Native River
Trained by Colin Tizzard, he won 14 times, including the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup earning over £1 million in prize money. Garfield, as he is known, has been enjoying a busy life since retiring having attended a nursery, had a photoshoot on Bond Street and even transported children to their school prom. With his current rider Emma Vine, he has been excelling in the show ring and has qualified for HOYS.
Magical Memory
Magical Memory, known as Magic, and his owner Sue regularly take part in showing and dressage. Magic has a brilliant personality and has been a photoshoot model for a promotional campaign and has his own dedicated Facebook page.
Robinsfirth
Robinsfirth was a winner of five races, including the Grand National trail at Haydock. He has proved his versatility in retirement, having tried various disciplines with his owner Jennifer, who is aiming to qualify him for The Jockey Club RoR National Championships at Aintree.
Takingrisks
Scottish National winner Takingrisks was a nine-time winner while in training with Nicky Richards. Takingrisks is enjoying his new career with his owner Catherine and takes part in eventing.
First Fandango
First Fandango ran a total of fifty times while in training with Tim Vaughan. Fred, as he is now known, has been very successful in his retirement with owner Hannah, winning the RoR Horse of The Year in 2023. He is a two-time amateur showing champion series winner and also finds time to go hunting, team chasing showjumping, eventing and takes part in dressage.
Nine Altars
Owned by Charlotte, the pair enjoy participating a variety of different disciplines including taking part in RoR showing classes. They both love getting to meet the racecourse crowds in their ambassador role.
Katie Jerram-Hunnable
Royal-owned Barbers Shop and First Receiver will be out and about with Katie as ambassadors for Newmarket Racecourse.
Baron Alco
Eight-time winner Baron Alco is known as Barry at home and since retiring has excelled in dressage, winning at the British Dressage Championships. His owner Diana says he always has a smile on his face and loves playing in the mud.
Step Back
Step Back won five races during his career including the bet 365 Gold cup at Sandown. He is in the early stages of his retraining journey staying on in the care of the Bradstock Family who he was in training with under rules and point-to-pointing.
Atlantic Storm
Atlantic storm is an eight-time winner placing twenty six times during his career. Stormzy, as he is known at home, has enjoyed some time out to chill in the field following his retirement. Ellen and Stormzy are starting training with the aim to get out team chasing in the winter.
Jamacho
Jamacho is described by his owner Ilona as a cheeky happy pocket rocket. Following his retirement from national hunt racing, he has enjoyed some time off in the field and is now back in work aiming to compete in eventing and RoR showing classes.
Weymss Point
Owner Beth has known Weymss since he was a three-year-old in training. Since his retirement from racing, they have participated mainly in showing classes, qualifying for The Jockey Club RoR National Championships and enjoy going hacking in their local area.
Lady Buttons
15-time winner Lady Buttons is developing into a excellent show horse since her retirement, having qualified for The Jockey Club RoR National Championships. She loved parading in front of the crowds at the Grand National Festival and her next challenge is to utilise her love of jumping in one day events.
Fortunate George
Fortunate George won six times during his racing career. George, as he is known, loves attention, carrots and polos. According to his owner Juanita he loves showing off! Juanita and George have taken part in dressage and showjumping since his retirement.
Goldream
York’s first equine ambassador ‘Remy’ was the inspiration for Horses For Courses. A former dual Group 1 winner, he’s represented York both on and off the racecourse, taking part in many local community visits. Remy spends lots of time at York, where racegoers can meet him along with representatives of New Beginnings, the track’s charitable aftercare partner where he’s based with other former racehorses near York.
Alpha Delphini
Aged 13 and formerly trained by Bryan Smart, he won 8 times including at York in the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes in 2018. Alpha has now moved to Emma Chapman where he is participating in dressage, hacks out to the pub and is learning to jump!
Nakeeta
Now aged 13, Nakeeta's biggest win came in the 2017 Sky Bet Ebor. This popular stayer was trained by Iain Jardine and travelled twice to Australia, finishing 5th in the 2017 Melbourne Cup. He is now still based in Scotland where he is in good form, full work and loves posing for the camera!
Mr Lupton
A prolific sprinter running 12 times at York, Mr Lupton was trained locally by Richard Fahey before his retirement. Now aged 11, his owner Wendy Scott is bringing him back into work after injury and is looking forward to taking part in eventing and showjumping with him.
Top Notch Tonto
Trained by Brian Ellison with his striking markings, he was a crowd favourite at York running there 12 times, and winning a Listed race shortly before coming second in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes in 2015. Aged 14, he’s now busy out competing in dressage and showjumping.