The Grand National was run at Aintree
at the weekend, giving us yet another thrilling finish after a
gruelling battle to the line between Tiger Roll, the tenacious but
tiny winner, and the gallant close second, Pleasant Company. It was
wonderful to watch as these brave elite athletes, equine and human,
gave the race, and us, their absolute best. Even better, all horses
and jockeys made it safely back home. Sometimes Grand National
winners are retired on the spot, having achieved the pinnacle of
prizes at the culmination of their careers – but Tiger Roll is only
only eight years old, and Pleasant Company ten (his real birthday is
today, 15th April), so we'll no doubt be seeing more of
them on the racecourse before they retire from racing and move on to
their second careers.
It is unusual to have a photo finish
like we had in this year's Grand National, but one did happen in
2012, when the race was won by the lovely grey, Neptune Collonges. He
was then immediately retired and, now 17 years old, is well into his
second life as an ex- racehorse. He started by trying his hand at
showjumping, and is still happily going out on jollies doing showing
and dressage with his doting owner Lisa Hales, as well as attending
ex-racehorse parades around the country. And, as if to prove he is
still a headline-grabbing star, he turned out again for a Personal
Appearance at Alder Hey Children's Hospital the day before the Grand
National.
Over the past 14 years it has become a
tradition for the Grand National jockeys to visit sick children at
Alder Hey the day before the big race. The jocks may be tough and
brave, but they all say they find these visits very moving. The kids,
on the other hand, seem to find it nothing but great fun. For many
years an equine celebrity or two has gone along as well, former
winners of the race, for a meet-and-greet with the young patients and
staff outside the hospital doors. Since 2013 this has been Neptune
Collonge's regular gig, though he has sometimes shared it with
Amberleigh House, the National winner of 2004. Neptune – known as
'Nipper' at home - is perfect for the assignment – partly because
he is grey and gorgeous, and mostly because he is so very quiet and
kind, adores being patted and given mints, and is not at all bothered
by excited, squealing children, or even by wheelchairs in his
personal space. Who says ex-racehorses are skittish, nervy and
unpredictable? Well, some may be; so are some cobs, and many ponies!
But ex-racers can be as sweet, gentle and affectionate to humans as a
well-loved old lapdog. And they can give the same pleasure and
therapeutic benefits – just ask the children at Alder Hey Hospital
!
Perhaps there might be a way to get the
equine visitors indoors, and upstairs, to meet more patients, like
with Patdogs....? Now there's a thought for second-career
ex-racehorses!
'Nipper' chats with folks at Alder Hey
Amberleigh House joined Nipper to entertain young patients in 2015
With thanks to Alder Hey Children's Hospital for the lovely photos
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