What happens to racehorses when they retire?

What happens to racehorses when they retire depends on a variety of factors, including breeding potential, age, physical soundness and temperament. Horses that are capable of breeding and have potential to become successful stallions or broodmares, by virtue of their pedigree or racecourse performance, or both, are often retired to stud. Of course, horses who have been castrated, or gelded , particularly National Hunt horses, who also race for much longer than their Flat counterparts, have no such option.

The ‘romantic’ notion of a racehorse being turned out in a field to enjoy its retirement may be appropriate if the horse is no longer fit for work but, otherwise, thoroughbred racehorses are best suited to an active life, even in retirement. This could simply be as a trainer’s hack, but there are numerous possibilities for alternative careers. With expert care and attention, former racehorses can be retrained as show jumpers, dressage, eventing or polo horses, thereby helping them to avoid physical and temperamental problems in later life. Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), which is funded, in part, by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), is the official charity for the welfare of retired racehorses and supports five rehabilitation centres across the country.

Which is the longest race run at the Cheltenham Festival?

Traditionally, the National Hunt Challenge Cup, run over a distance of 3 miles, 7 furlongs and 170 yards – and known, colloquially, as the ‘four miler’ – was the longest race of the week at the Cheltenham Festival. However, the last time that race was run over its original distance was in 2018, when it was won by subsequent Grand National third, Rathvinden, trained by Willie Mullins.

In 2019, 18 horses contested the National Hunt Challenge Cup, but only four finished, with 47 lengths between the third and fourth horses home. Following a review by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the distance of the race was shortened to 3 miles, 5 furlongs and 201 yards, such that, from 2020 onwards, the Glenfarclass Cross Country Chase became the longest race run at the Cheltenham Festival.

Inaugurated, as a handicap, in 2005, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is run over a distance of 3 miles, 6 furlongs and 37 yards on the specialist Cross Country Course, which features both natural and artificial obstacles, including banks, ditches, water and timber rails. Unlike the National Hunt Challenge Cup, which is restricted to horses that have not won over fences at the start of the current season, and amateur jockeys, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase has raised no welfare concerns, so seems likely to remain the longest race run at the Cheltenham Festival for the foreseeable future.

When was the first Royal procession at Ascot?

Located in the Royal County of Berkshire, approximately six miles from Windsor Castle, Ascot Racecourse has been closely associated with the British Royal Family for centuries. Indeed, it was the last Stuart monarch, Queen Anne, who founded Ascot Racecourse, in an area originally known as ‘East Cote’, in 1711. The first recognisable ‘Royal Ascot’ meeting was staged in 1768, during the reign of King George III. ‘Farmer George’ was still on the throne when the Royal Enclosure was created as a premier vantage point for viewing the inaugural running of the Gold Cup in 1807.

However, it was his eldest son, King George IV, who introduced the Royal Procession in 1825. King George IV and his guests apparently made for a ‘very splendid’ spectacle as they made their way up the Straight Mile in beautiful horse-drawn carriages. The traditional has continued ever since; under normal circumstances, Queen Elizabeth II and her cortege arrive at the Royal Gates at 2pm sharp every afternoon and process, accompanied by fanfare, along the Straight Mile to the Parade Ring.

Which current jockey has ridden the most winners at the Cheltenham Festival?

Following the retirement of Richard Johnson on April 3, 2021, the current jockey who has ridden the most winners at the Cheltenham Festival is David ‘Davy’ Russell. Russell has, like Johnson, ridden 22 winners, a total exceeded only by countrymen Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty, A.P. McCoy and Pat Taaffe.

Russell, 42, spent nearly a year on the sidelines as the result of serious vertebrae injury sustained in a fall from Doctor Duffy in the Munster National at Limerick in October, 2020, and missed the 2021 Cheltenham Festival on medical advice. At the time of writing, he has yet to resume race riding, but has been riding out for Gordon Elliott and is reportedly ready to return when called upon to do so.

Russell rode his first Cheltenham winner, Native Jack, in what is now the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in 2006. Thereafter, with the exception of 2019, he rode at least one winner at every Cheltenham Festival up to, and including, 2020. At the 2014 Cheltenham Festival, Russell rode three winners for the first time, including Lord Windermere in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He bettered that total in 2014 and his four winners – Presenting Percy in the RSA Novices’ Chase, Balko Des Flos in the Ryanair Chase, Delta Work in the Pertemps Final and The Storyteller in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate – were sufficient to win him the leading jockey award for the one and only time.

1 … 99 100 101 102 103 … 146