New prize at Badminton for ex-racehorses

The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is offering £1,000 prize to the highest placed ex-racehorse at this year’s event.

Challenge the title

Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is sponsoring the competition, which is open to any horse that has raced under the rules of a recognised racing authority.

This is the first year former racehorses will be competing for the bonus prizemoney. Had it been on offer in 2015, it would have been won by Arctic Soul and Gemma Tattersall, who finished 16th.

Arctic Soul ran in four races in Ireland in 2008 before being retrained as an eventer. Now aged 13, he will back with Gemma at Badminton this year to challenge the title.

Fantastic initiative

“Despite the continual development of the sport, the Thoroughbred is still at the heart of eventing and this is a fantastic initiative to encourage and reward the retraining of racehorses,” said Gemma.

“There could not be a greater showcase for the sport than Badminton and I am looking forward to having a crack at winning this award with my amazing former racehorse, Arctic Soul. “

Television commentator Mike Tucker, who completed Badminton twelve times, also welcomes the introduction of the RoR prize.

Competitive opportunities

“This excellent initiative is a reflection of the growth of RoR and its increasing links with elite equine sport. More and more former racehorses are now excelling in different disciplines and much of this is due to RoR’s strategy of creating competitive opportunities for these horses outside of racing.”

The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials take place from 4 – 8 May. For more information visit www.badminton-horse.co.uk.