Cue Card and Coneygree, two horses whose past exploits are etched in the panels that celebrate landmark Cheltenham winners, headed a list of a dozen former racehorses parading on day one of The Festival™ presented by Magners at Cheltenham (Tuesday, 10th March 2020).
The 12 horse line-up featured nine individual G1 winners, seven of which were winners at The Festival, and showcased the range of activities open to racehorses when they finish their racing careers. The annual parade is organised by racing’s official charity for the welfare of retired racehorses, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), and took place on day one of The Festival.
On the racecourse, the nine time G1 winner Cue Card and the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Coneygree, once finished first and second, when taking each other on in the 2016 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park. Both are now enjoying a second career outside of racing and the pair are likely to compete against each other again, but this time in the show ring.
Although Coneygree was only retired from racing in February 2019, he has adapted quickly to his new career. Ridden by trainer Mark Bradstock’s wife, Sara, Coneygree has already won RoR showing classes and the pair’s ambition for 2020 is to qualify for the prestigious RoR Tattersalls Show Series Final at Hickstead in June.
Meanwhile, Cue Card is in the care of renowned showing producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable, who enjoyed notable successes with The Queen’s Barbers Shop. Cue Card has already won in-hand showing classes and an early season target for 2020 is the ridden RoR class at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.
Besides Coneygree and Cue Card, other Festival winners in the parade, which was again sponsored by the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, included Captain Chris, Dodging Bullets, Master Minded, The New One and Zarkandar.
Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, added: “In terms of what they have achieved in their racing careers and also in their second careers, I think this year’s line-up is probably the strongest we have ever had.
“Not only does the parade boast nine G1 winners, including a Gold Cup winner, two Queen Mother Champion Chase winners and an Arkle winner, but their feats in their second careers are notable too. All twelve have found their metier in a discipline and role away from racing, whether it be showing, eventing, hunting, dressage or team chasing.
“Our thanks to Cheltenham for giving us the opportunity to parade these horses and to the Sir Peter Charitable O’Sullevan Trust for their generous and on-going support of the RoR parades.”
Tuesday 10th March, 2020
Full RoR Parade line-up, sponsored by the Peter O’Sullevan Trust, The Festival 2020
- Annacotty (Showjumping) ridden by Hannah Bishop
12-year-old by Beneficial, formerly trained by Martin Keighley and Alan King - Barbers Shop (Hacking) ridden by Katie Jerram-Hunnable
18-year-old by Saddlers’ Hall, formerly trained by Nicky Henderson - Captain Chris (Hunting) ridden by Debbie Beilby
16-year-old by King’s Theatre, formerly trained by Philip Hobbs - Coneygree (Showing) ridden by Sara Bradstock
13-year-old by Karinga Bay, formerly trained by Mark Bradstock - Cue Card (Showing) ridden by Chris Hunnable
14-year-old by King’s Theatre, formerly trained by Colin Tizzard - Dodging Bullets (Dressage and Showjumping) ridden by Lucy Sharp
12-year-old by Dubawi, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls - Saphir Du Rheu (Team Chasing) ridden by Charlotte Alexander
11-year-old by Al Namix, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls - The New One (Hunting) ridden by Wayne Jones
12-year-old by King’s Theatre, formerly trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies - Master Minded (Dressage) ridden by Sophie Haylock
17-year-old gelding by Nikos, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls - Miko De Beauchene (Hunting ) ridden by Tracey Phillips
20-year-old by Nashamaa, formerly trained Robert & Sally Alner and by Venetia Williams - Monbeg Dude (Team Chasing) ridden by Jade Steinsdorfer
15-year-old gelding by Witness Box, formerly trained by Michael Scudamore - Zarkandar (Hunting) ridden by Lucinda Sims
13-year-old gelding by Azamour, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls
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