A racehorse-turned-champion show horse has been named the Jockey Club/Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Horse of the Year at an awards ceremony in Newmarket (26 November 2014).
Showing success
The inaugural RoR Awards were hosted by Retraining of Racehorses patron Clare Balding and Willie Carson. There were trophies to each of the 2014 RoR Elite Series’ Champions and prizes totalling £16,500.
Whatcanysay won the big prize of the night in recognition of all he is achieved since retiring from racing in 2011. During his racing career he ran 46 times over hurdles and fences, winning on four occasions.
Since then his new owner Robyn Gray has competed the 13-year-old gelding in RoR competitions in a range of disciplines, although he has enjoyed the most success in showing.
In his first season, ‘Doofer’ won the RoR Scottish Championship at the Royal Highland. He went on to place sixth at Horse of the Year Show in 2013 just behind the Queen’s Horse Barbers Shop. Three weeks later, he came second in the RoR Meriel Tufnell Racing to Hunting Challenge at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Yard favourite
This year’s successes include winning the RoR/Tattersalls Scottish Show Series Championship at the Royal Highland and coming second in the RoR/TBA Retrained Racehorse Challenge Final at Royal Windsor.
Robyn and her sisters, Melanie and Jodie, have known Doofer since he was a two-year old.
“We used to muck out at Evelyn Slack’s stables in Appleby, so we have known him most of his life,” said the 23-year-old from Cumbria.
“He was always our favourite at the yard so when we were offered the chance to buy him after his retirement, we jumped at the opportunity.”
Other winners
RoR Elite Endurance Champion: Coralkov, ridden and owned by Juliet Jacob
Joint RoR Elite Eventing Champions: Ortolan, ridden by Polly Stockton and owned by Stella and Allan Stennett and Squadron Leader ridden by Daniele Bizzaro and owned by Jane Arnold.
RoR Elite Dressage Champion: Austin Approved, ridden and owned by Sandie Newton.
RoR Elite HOYS Show Series Champion: Flaygray, ridden and owned by Faye Hesketh.
RoR Elite Show Series Champion: Jack the Giant, ridden by Allister Hood and owned by The Jackpots Syndicate.
RoR Elite Show Jumping Champion: Captain Willoughby, ridden and owned by Joanne Fulcher.
RoR Elite Polo Champion: Fille de Dauphin, ridden and owned by Mark Tomlinson.