HAMILTON RACECOURSE PARADE 19/09/10

We were invited by Hazel Peplinski, Clerk of the Course, to do a parade of ex racehorses to kick off their Family Day.  Before I go on to talk about the parade I would like to thank Hazel for the fabulous opportunity to parade at one of Scotland's top racecourses, and for the hospitality shown to us by all of her staff.

We were allocated our own parking area so the horses could get ready in peace and the stable staff were so helpful too.

10 horses and riders came to do the parade and I have to say that you all did us proud.  The horses were gleaming and the horse/rider combinations were so smart - thank you for all the effort you put in.

Once we were all tacked up and mounted we rode in a line into the parade ring.  I remember looking behind me and seeing 9 stunning horses and 9 riders bursting with pride - it brought a lump to my throat and reminded me why I, and the planning committee, spend so much of our 'spare time' organising these events.

When we rode into the ring there were so many people standing around to see the ex racehorses and it was lovely to see quite a few owners and trainers looking on too.  The commentary was done by Derek Thompson of Channel 4 racing and he did a grand job - he remembered quite a few of the horses and had so many lovely things to say.

Hamilton very kindly put up Best Turned Out and Best Condition awards of £50 each, which were judged by
Howard Wright, Political Editor of Racing Post and Jack Berry MBE, former Racehorse Trainer and currently campaigning on behalf of the Northern Racing College and Injured Jockeys Fund for "the house that Jack built", a new facility in the North for jockeys.  They said it was very difficult to judge as all the horses looked wonderful and it was great to see the ''forgotten side'' of racing getting the opportunity to show the versatility of racehorses and that they can go on and do many great things after racing.

The day was fabulous, the horses behaved impeccably but still had a lot of spring in their step.  Each one went into the parade ring and suddenly remembered where they were.  Their ears were pricked, they strutted around looking VERY proud of themselves and the comments from the public were just wonderful to hear as we were riding around. 

Hazel was delighted with the parade and said ''We are thrilled with how the parade went.  Great turnout by horse and rider, and fabulous interest from the crowd.  It was great, fantastic in fact.  Please thank the team for a wonderful spectacle.''



 1. Just Classic & Lisa Hamer

Just Classic is known as Denzel at home – because he is as handsome as Lisa’s favourite actor Denzel Washington. He is 10 years old and by top stallion Classic Cliché.

He was bought as a yearling by top owner David Johnson (2009 Grand National winning owner) as a future prospect for the National or Gold Cup. Trained by Martin Pipe Just classic won his first race in great style, winning by almost 20 lengths.

Unfortunately he had problems with his tendons and needed time off after that. He came up to Peter Monteith, who is renowned for getting the best out of horses who have lost their way or are coming back from injury, but Peter was concerned that he would not stand up to the training regime so he was gifted to Lisa in June 2008.

Lisa has done his retraining herself and they are now competing at all disciplines with a view to going British Eventing next year. Just Classic has won shows at County level, and has been placed at dressage, show jumping and cross country. He has qualified for the ex racehorse championships next weekend and Lisa hopes he behaves himself as he can get quite excitable sometimes.

She says he is a lovely horse to work with, very willing to please but can get stressed very easily so a lot of patience is needed to get the best out of him.
  
   
 2. Beneficial Guest & Nicola Falcus - Winners of Best Condition at the Parade

Beneficial Guest is known as Benji at home. He is 9 years old and by Beneficial. He was trained by I McMath in Ireland, where he did most of his racing. He was quite successful with one win and one third place, both over hurdles, from his 8 starts.

His final race was at Ayr in 2009, when he was pulled up, his jockey James Halliday said Benji was just not interested in racing and he was retired.

Nicola bought Benji through a member on the Scottish and Northern Ex Racehorse Club in March of this year. She already has another ex racehorse Hidden Exit (Maggie) but she is now in light work only due to recurring problems from old injuries and Nicola wanted something she could compete on.

Benji has settled into his new life very well. His companions are Maggie and his best friend a Shetland pony, Benji’s favourite pastime is chasing the Shetland around the field when all the Shetland wants to do is eat!

Benji loves hacking although Nicola aims to do dressage and showing classes with him. They have regular lessons and he always aims to please. Benji has also qualified for the ex racehorse championships next weekend.
  
   
 3. Just in Time & Michelle Duncan - Winners of Best Turned Out

Just in Time, known as Justy at home is 15 years old by top stallion Nightshift. He had a fantastic racing career, 11 wins and 15 places, winning just over £98,000 in his career which spanned 10 years. He last raced in March 2008 at the grand age of 13 and ran on the flat, all weather, hurdles and fences with wins in all categories.

Justy is a top show and dressage horse, continuing his racing success with even more wins as an ex racehorse – its just a shame there is no prize money says his owner Alexis.
He has won showing at county level, championships and is a regular winner at dressage. Justy has also qualified for the ex racehorse championship show next weekend.

Justy however, still has a lot of the racehorse sharpness in him and can catch you off guard now and again. He is being ridden today by his owner’s sister Michelle as Alexis recently came off and broke her arm. Alexis says there is no badness in him at all, quite the opposite he is a very sweet and loving horse but every now and again he forgets he is 15 and a retired racehorse and surprises his rider with aerobatics that a 3 year old would be impressed by.
  
   
 4. Bubba Boy & Isabel Breen

Bubba Boy – Bubba at home – is 10 years old by top stallion Anshan. Bubba is another horse previously owned by David Johnson, sent up to Peter Monteith to see if Peter could find the ‘spark’ to turn him into a winning racehorse.

Bubba last raced in February 2006 and retired as, in Peter’s words ‘’he just did not want to be a racehorse and had the confirmation and temperament to make a much better riding horse’. Bubba was bought by Peter’s conditional jockey at that time David Da Silva. David started his re-training and he was bough by Isabel shortly after and she has continued with hi retraining.

Isabel’s passion is dressage and Bubba has proved to be a much better dressage horse than race horse. He has also done really well in the show ring, with a number of wins at both disciplines, and has qualified for the ex racehorse championships next weekend.

Bubba is a real character and his party trick is to ‘’blow raspberries’’ over the stable door at you – he is a very affectionate horse and loves to be pampered, brushed – anything that does not expend too much of his energy but makes him the centre of attention.