New Retraining of Racehorses Community Impact Award announced

The charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) have announced an innovative new Community Impact Award, supported by The Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust. The award will celebrate an ex-racehorse that has gone on to change lives of those in the community as part of their second career. The range of activities can include equine assisted therapy, teaching people to ride or helping those who are finding life difficult or challenging.

The ability of racehorses to have a positive impact on those around them has been demonstrated recently with Racing Together’s Ouzbeck Pilot and Jo Foster’s Care Home visits with her horse, Sigurd, who is still in training.

RoR has entered into a three-year sponsorship agreement with The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust to support the Award. Nominations for the Award will open later this year and the winner will be revealed in January at the prestigious RoR Awards at The Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket.

The Awards, launched in 2014, are now a crucial part of the racing calendar and celebrate the exciting and enriching lives thoroughbreds go on to lead once their racing careers are over. They recognise Elite Winners in a wide range of equestrian disciplines and are held at The Jockey Club rooms in January each year. They also serve to unite the racing world with other equestrian disciplines and provides a platform to demonstrate the versatility of the thoroughbred, promoting the new chapter of their lives. 

Managing Director of RoR, David Catlow said: “We are delighted that RoR has been able to partner with The Peter O’Sullevan Trust to create this award to highlight the special bond horses develop with people and to demonstrate the impact that thoroughbreds can have to improve both physical and mental well-being.”

On behalf of the trustees of the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, Nigel Payne said: “The trustees consider this new RoR Community Impact award to be an excellent initiative and a worthy cause. We have no doubt that Peter would have enjoyed seeing his charitable trust associated with RoR as they not only highlight the excellent work done promoting a new life for horses after racing, but also the very real impact that former racehorses can have to help change peoples’ lives for the better.”

Nominations for the award will open later this year along with the annual RoR Horse of The Year Award, sponsored by The Jockey Club.