Ex-Racehorses at Cheltenham - TV Channel 4

Channel 4 is generally very supportive of ex-racehorses, and did pretty well by them in its coverage of the Cheltenham Festival today. The programme opened with those emotional and now famous shots of Big Buck's after his last race at Cheltenham a year ago, being applauded as he was led away into most honourable retirement by a tearful Rose Loxton – who was crying with relief that the old warrior had come through his final battle safe and sound.

Then followed a really lovely piece on the 'Four Kings' who reigned at Paul Nicholl's Ditcheat yard in those glorious days – Big Buck's, Denman, Masterminded, and of course Kauto Star. The four greats, brilliant champions all, were reunited now to hack together across Cleve Hill. Partnered by their civilian riders – who had donned the old boys' racing colours for the occasion – they strolled relaxed and contented over the hill that overlooks Prestbury Park, the scene of so many of their greatest victories, while the commentator recounted their various triumphs.

It was wonderful, and quite moving, to see them again, all well, handsome and happy in their new, less demanding, but still interesting lives.

It's a pity, though, that Channel 4 did not include a mention of the parade of ex-racehorses that we glimpsed going on behind Clare Balding. Very frustrating! It was a great parade this year, arranged as usual on the opening day of the Festival by Retraining of Racehorses. The divine duo, Kauto and Denman, were there, as well as Big Buck's – his first Cheltenham Ex-racehorse Parade since he retired last year. But there were other greats too, including the 2008 Grand National winner Comply or Die, the brilliant hurdler and Feltham Novices Chase winner Grands Crus, Ladbroke Hurdle winner Jack the Giant, Blazing Bailey, Miko de Beauchene, Sentry Duty, and Ortolan.

All these old boys were brilliant racehorses, but they have all now been highly successful at becoming re-trained racehorses too. Several of them are enjoying life in the hunting field – Denman, Big Buck's, Blazing Bailey, and Miko de Beauchene – and Denman loves his teamchasing too. Kauto Star and Comply or Die are now taking well to dressage, which Grands Crus tackled successfully too, as well as showing, before moving on to become a showjumper with current ridersJulie Reynolds and Nichola Topper. Jack the Giant, like so many ex-racers, has become a champion of the showring, whilst Ortolan is eventing with Polly Stockton, a member of the British World Class Performance squad. Moving from one prize-winning job to another like this may takes time and dedication, but these great old champions show it can certainly be done.

Full details of the horses in the parade are here:

1. BIG BUCKS (Hunting) - Lucy Tucker

12 years old by Cadoudal

He ran 40 times over hurdles and fences, earning over £1.3 million in prize money. The only horse to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle four times (2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012). Won a record 18 consecutive races over hurdles.

Trained by Paul Nicholls

Following his retirement from racing in 2014 Big Buck's moved to Locketts Farm in Dorset with Lucy Tucker. Here his days vary from hacking, hunting and being a work companion for the point to pointers. He is hunted regularly with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hounds ridden by either Lucy or senior master Mike Felton. Lucy is planning on giving him a short break before bringing him back in and starting to do some jumping work with him before aiming to compete in some RoR classes over the summer months.

2. BLAZING BAILEY (Hunting) - Sarah Welford

13 year old bay gelding by Mister Baileys

He ran 48 times on the flat, over hurdles and fences notching up over £380K in prize money. He won a total of 12 races. He ran four times at the Cheltenham Festival finishing 3rd in the Triumph Hurdle and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Trained by Alan King

Blazing Bailey has been looked after by Sarah Welford since arriving at Alan King's yard as a three year old, so upon retirement his owners, Three Line Whip, decided that they would give him to her. Following his retirement from racing he has been hunting on a number of occasions. They have been competing in hunter trials and team chases as well as lots of hacking. He also has a new role in leading the babies on the gallops at the stud that Sarah is now running. Sarah says Bailey is thoroughly enjoying his retirement.

3. COMPLY OR DIE (Dressage) - Verity Green

16 year old by Old Vic

Ran in 31 races both over hurdles and fences. Won 8 races and over £798,000 in prize money. In 2008 he won the John Smiths Grand National and was runner-up in 2009.

Trained by David Pipe

Following his retirement from racing 2011 Comply Or Die spent his time with Verity Green being a lead horse for the young horses on the gallops. He started hunting in 2011 and continues to go out as much as he can. Although good to ride and handle, Comply Or Die still has great spirit and likes to remind anyone on board that he still has it! Verity took up dressage with him last year and qualified for the RoR dressage finals in Leicestershire in November at introductory level. This year will see them continuing with dressage and they hope to move up a level and qualify for the finals again.

4. DENMAN (Team Chasing) - Charlotte Alexander

15 year old by Presenting

Ran 24 times winning 14 races and over £1.1m in prize money. He ran at the Festival for six consecutive seasons, winning the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and 2007 Royal & Sun Alliance Chase. He was three times runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and twice won the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Trained by Paul Nicholls

Denman moved to Charlotte Alexander at the beginning of September 2012. Once fit he was introduced to sponsored rides and then hunting. Denman took to hunting like a duck to water. He jumps everything from walls and rails to hedges and ditches. However, in April 2013 disaster struck when Denman went lame due to a bone infection, this was then followed by a blood disorder resulting in five months in equine hospital. Thanks to the care given and overseen by Ian Wright at the Newmarket Equine Hospital, the support of his owner Paul Barber and Denman's renowned fighting spirit he is now back to full fitness. Recently has been back out in the hunting field in preparation for the coming team chase season.

5. GRANDS CRUS (Showjumping) - Nicola Topper

10 year old by Dom Alco

Had 20 starts in NH flat races, over hurdles and fences. Winner of 7 races and over £249K in prize money. He was 2nd to Big Buck's in the 2011 Ladbrokes World Hurdle

Trained by David Pipe

Following his retirement from racing at the end of 2013 Grands Crus moved to Julie Reynolds to start his retraining. Since then he has taken to his new career very well and he debuted in a class at the Three Counties Show last June finishing fourth. He has since completed two dressage competitions and been placed eighth and fifth. Julie is having regular lessons and has now started showjumping with him. Julie is looking forward to retuning to the Three Counties Show again this year and is also starting to train for eventing. He will be in the parade by Nicola Topper who has been doing a combination of flat and jump work with him.

6. JACK THE GIANT (Showing) - Allister Hood

13 year old by Giant's Causeway

26 starts on the flat, over hurdles and fences. Winner of 9 races and over £223K in win/prize money.

Trained by Nicky Henderson

Following his retirement from racing in 2010 a syndicate was set up of six Newmarket ladies called "The Jack Pots" to buy Jack and send him to Allister Hood to retrain for a career in the show ring. Jack The Giant took to this very well and soon became a name within the top show classes. His biggest win was in the Tattersalls/RoR Championship at Hickstead last year. The pair were also second in the RoR/Jockey Club Novice Championship at Aintree and fourth at the Horse of the Year Show. The plan is to continue in the show ring in 2015 and again qualify for the RoR Championships.

7. KAUTO STAR (Dressage) - Laura Collett

15 year old bay gelding by Village Star

Ran 41 times over hurdles and fences winning over £2m and 23 races. He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 and again in 2009, the King George a record breaking five times and the Betfair Chase three times. He ran a total of six times at the Cheltenham Festival during his career.

Trained by Paul Nicholls

Since arriving with Laura Collett, Kauto Star has taken to his retirement routine very well. Laura says he is a pleasure to work with and is enjoying all the work that has been asked of him at home. Along with his retraining for dressage, he enjoys hacking out, spending time in the field and having the occasional jump. Kauto Star has done demonstrations at Newbury, Barbury Castle and Burghley, together with his annual trips to Kempton Park and the Cheltenham Festival. He will start competing in dressage competitions this year.

8. MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (Hunting) - Tracey Phillips

15 year old bay gelding by Nashamaa

He had 43 runs under rules including hurdles and fences. He won 4 races and over £203K in prize money. His wins included the Coral Welsh National in 2007 and the Vodka Red Square Gold Cup at Haydock in 2008.

Trained by Venetia Williams

Since finishing his racing career, Miko De Beauchene and Tracey Phillips have been hunting several times with the North Cotswold Hunt and have completed fun rides in the Cotswolds, which he thoroughly enjoys. He is now enjoying taking part in some hunter trials, eventing and showjumping competitions. He has also been taking part in the RoR showing classes and has been placed in these.

9. ORTOLAN (Eventing) - Polly Stockton

10 year old chestnut gelding by Next Desert

Ran 6 times, placed on one occasion.

Trained by David Pipe / Donald McCain

After an uninspiring racing career, Ortolan's owners Allan and Stella Stennett sent him to event rider Polly Stockton in 2012. Polly, a member of the British World Class Performance squad, has brought him on and he has now been competing for three seasons, regularly delivering double clears in cross-country and showjumping and going up in grade. His 2014 season culminated in victory in the Intermediate class at Little Downham. At the inaugural RoR Awards in 2014 Ortolan was named joint Elite Eventing Champion.

10. SENTRY DUTY (Hunting) - Emma Carpenter

13 year old by Kahyasi

He ran 47 times on the flat, over hurdles and fences. Winner of 11 races and over £264K in prize money.

Trained by Nicky Henderson

Emma Carpenter took Sentry Duty on in September after he had spent some time with her mother relaxing and switching off after his retirement from racing. He then went pre-season hunting for the first time in October last year followed by attending the opening meet in November. He has continued to hunt all season with the Clifton-Upon-Teme Hunt and the North Cotswold. He is also used by Emma to lead her daughter's pony on. Emma has even taught at Pony Club on him. He has started schooling over poles and is preparing to take part in the RoR Challenge classes this year.

Grands Crus enjoying his new job

Not Choosing an Ex-racehorse

I'm currently helping my friend Zoe seek a horse to buy. She is adamant she does NOT want an ex-racehorse –and, much as I love ex-racers, I entirely agree with her. Because a retired racehorse, however well re-trained, is not right for everyone.

Zoe is a 40-something working mum, returning to riding after a career-&-kids gap of some twenty years. She's always loved horses, and used to ride well, but after such a long gap says she's 'forgotten more than she ever knew'. (If only more people were so honest, and realistic!) Actually I think Zoe is exaggerating, but she's certainly rusty, unfit, and lacking in confidence. And, she has no previous experience with racehorses, 'ex' or otherwise.

She has been sensible, and had some refresher lessons on a steady riding school cob. She's keen to learn, knows her present limitations, and now has the flexi-time and money to do justice to a horse of her own. And, she's chosen a good livery yard where help, advice, and riding buddies will always be on hand.

Even so, and ex-racehorse would definitely not be right for her, at least not just now. A Thoroughbred is seldom a dope-on-a-rope type. A well-rehabilitated retired racehorse can be patient and kind and remarkably forgiving of human numpties. But even the best ex-racer will always be fast, sensitive, a bit unpredictable, a bit 'hair-triggered.' And, being highly intelligent and perceptive, ex-racers are quick to sense human moods. They can start to worry, or take advantage, if they detect hesitancy, anxiety or fear in a handler/rider. And a worried, or bolshie, ex-racehorse reacts swiftly, lithely, and sometimes dangerously.

An ex-racer, perhaps more than any other type of horse, needs humans who are calm, confident 'herd-leader' types, people who know what they are doing and are happy to harness and enjoy all the positive characteristics a former racehorse will have.

An ex-racehorse does NOT need a rider/handler who doesn't know the right thing to do with them, who is nervous, a bit clumsily heavy-handed, dithering and slow to react, or too physically unfit to get on board quick 'n' easy. ( And at the moment, Zoe tick all those boxes! But she's working on it....)

One really depressing thing we found, trawling through the Horses For Sale sites, was how often we saw this phrase: “ I just can't give him the exercise/time/commitment/ lifestyle he needs”. ( I found much the same thing recently looking at rehoming ads for young Border Collies. So sad.) Well, hello ... OF COURSE an animal needs time and commitment from its human! And all creatures need exercise. Generally, (except perhaps for sloths and iguanas) four legs need more exercise than two. And ex-racehorses ( and Border Collies!) need LOTS more! What a pity people do not always consider these things before going out and acquiring an animal.

Thoroughbreds can be very high-maintenance. An ex-racehorse will certainly need more, in terms of time, commitment, and money, as well as exercise, than many other horses would. Ex-racers, especially ones recently out of training, need more feeding than other breeds, and more rugging in winter. They need more attention from the farrier, the horse dentist, and probably from a back-specialist. They may well need special pills-and-potions for brittle feet, ulcers, stress, weight gain, etc, etc. Sounds like a bottomless money-pit? Yupp, afraid so.

Ex-racehorses, especially when in a new home, are happier in the company of other horses. (And happy usually means easy to manage.) As with most horses, they can become very stressed if kept alone for long periods. And for a new ex-racehorse/human partnership, it's best if there are other people around too, just in case anything goes wrong during the settling-in phase, when it's more likely to happen. Also, having another, steady horse to ride out with is a great idea, certainly until the new horse and rider have got to know and trust each other. And that, of course, takes time, and patience. And commitment ( from other people, as well as yourself.)

Most especially, an ex-racehorse needs exercise – whether that's through riding, lungeing/long-reining, or simply walking in-hand – as well as daily turnout ( even if only for an hour in a sand pit) Unlike some steadier breeds, ex-racers cannot be kept stabled for two or three days without proper exercise, and have no nasty consequences. (Try it, – the ex-racer will come out of the stable like a champagne cork. Then try to ride, if you dare!) So if you only have time for a half-hour hack twice a week, an ex-racehorse is probably not for you – unless you have someone to help with the exercising when you can't do it.

And don't think you can get away with turning your ex-racer out in a field 24/7, and then happily hopping on board when you get a moment, 'because he's had plenty of exercise.....'. Afraid it doesn't seem to work like that. Thoroughbreds are smart, and inquisitive, and usually keen to be doing something. If they lack human contact and interaction, and have no-one giving them stuff to do and think about, they will soon make up their own entertainment and lifestyle choices – which may not include you! They may become hard to catch, and bad-mannered to handle and difficult to ride. They will have turned into naughty schoolboys on holiday who simply don't wanna go back to school/work.

If this all sounds likely to put people off getting an ex-racehorse, that may be a good thing. When someone ends up with an animal – horse, dog, ant-eater, whatever – that just isn't right for them, it often ends in misery for all concerned. The animal can't be blamed for not being 'suitable'. It's the human who makes the choices, so it's important to consider everything very carefully, and honestly, before making a decision. Ex-racehorses are, nearly always, gorgeous – but sometimes just not 'appropriate'.