The Retraining of Racehorses Awards 2026 honour exceptional former racehorses and their retraining journeys
The Jockey Club RoR Awards 2026 took place on Saturday 24 January at Cheltenham Racecourse during Festival Trials Day, bringing together more than 230 guests from across the racing and equestrian communities, alongside supporters of RoR’s work.
The ceremony was opened by RoR Patron Zara Tindall MBE, who welcomed attendees and highlighted the remarkable journeys of former racehorses beyond racing. The event was expertly hosted by presenter Hannah Baycroft and provided a fitting backdrop to celebrate the adaptability, talent and enduring partnerships that define successful retraining.
The Awards showcased the extraordinary versatility of former racehorses across a wide range of disciplines, as well as the dedication of the owners, riders and trainers who guide them into fulfilling second careers. Throughout the ceremony, guests heard inspiring and often moving stories from the award winners, underlining the positive impact of thoughtful retraining and lifelong care.
The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Partnership of the Year Award was won by Durham-based Gemma Potts and her former racehorse Optimal Spirit. Gemma suffered a high-level spinal cord injury in 2021, leaving her tetraplegic and paralysed from her shoulders down, bringing an end to her riding career. Optimal Spirit has supported Gemma since her injury, with Gemma considering their time together as her favourite place to be, as he sees beyond her wheelchair, nudging her hands and feet as their special connection continues to shine.
Gemma was sadly unable to attend the ceremony on Saturday, so her award was accepted on her behalf by Victoria Baker, a family friend and fundraiser for the Gemma Potts Community established to support Gemma’s rehabilitation.
Watch Gemma and Optimal Spirit’s video
Essex-based former racehorse Sugar Rush was the winner of the prestigious RoR Horse of the Year 2026 supported by My Pension Expert. Sugar Rush was rehomed by owner Daisy Adamson in 2015 after seven months of training revealed that a career in racing wasn’t for him. Daisy primarily bought him for polocrosse, but the pair have gone on to compete in dressage and showjumping to great success and now compete to British Eventing 100 level.
The ceremony concluded with the launch of a new award, the RoR Volunteer Recognition Award. The award, which has been created in memory of much-loved RoR and BHA colleague Fi Carlin, will celebrate an RoR volunteer who goes above and beyond in their longstanding service and commitment to RoR, whilst showing exceptional communication, kindness and teamwork. The winner will be announced at the annual RoR Awards each year, from 2027 onwards.
David Catlow, Managing Director of RoR said: “The RoR Awards continue to demonstrate just how much former racehorses can achieve when given the right opportunities after racing. These horses are intelligent, athletic and generous, and the stories celebrated here reflect the strength of the partnerships built with their owners and riders. It is incredibly rewarding to see former racehorses thriving across so many disciplines, and these awards shine a light on what is possible.”
Zara Tindall, RoR Patron, said of the Awards: “This year’s RoR Awards were a brilliant celebration of everything the charity stands for. The finalists and winners across all the awards, were outstanding – every story is a reminder of what can be achieved with the right support. And it is always amazing to see the special bond between horse and rider, and the love, commitment and expertise that goes into helping former racehorses thrive in their second careers.”
The ceremony also included the 2025 RoR Elite Awards, further reinforcing the capabilities of retired racehorses to excel in disciplines including dressage, polo, eventing, showjumping, endurance, and showing, at the highest levels.
2025 RoR Elite Award winners:
- RoR Elite Dressage Champion: Gaelic Surprise – owned and ridden by Patricia Haskins
- RoR Elite Polo Champion: Hot Poppy – owned and ridden by Tommy Beresford
- RoR Elite Endurance Champion: Herons Heir – owned and ridden by Shelly Saunt
- Tattersalls RoR Elite Show Series Champion – owned by Diana Taylor and ridden by Rebecca Court
- Tattersalls RoR Supreme Champion: Not at Present – owned and ridden by Molly Sherring
- RoR Elite Eventing Champion: Dream Big – owned and ridden by Emily Ware
- RoR Elite Showjumping Champion: Back to Buxted – owned and ridden by Polly Foster
For more information on RoR’s programmes and this year’s award winners, please visit the RoR website.
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