Devoted owner Jane Williamson admitted her surprise when Hazel Hill was crowned the star of the show at the Jockey Club Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) National Championships at Aintree Racecourse.
The 15-year-old gelding, who won 19 races during a lengthy career on the track as a point-to-pointer and hunter chaser, took the coveted red ribbons to become the Tattersalls RoR Ridden Showing Supreme Champion at an annual event that attracted almost 300 former racehorses.
“It was completely unexpected,” said Jane. “I was thrilled to win it because Ted’s a true family member who has been with us most of his life.
“He does everything from dressage to leading the children on their ponies so it was a very special moment.”
Hazel Hill won over £50,000 in prize money on the racecourse for then trainer Philip Rowley and achieved five of his victories in point-to-points with Jane in the saddle.
Meanwhile, former chasing star Definitly Red returned to the scene of his two Many Clouds Chase victories to achieve first and second placings at his first national championships.
An Aintree ambassador, he was pulled out first in the Always A Star In-Hand Championship before finishing second in the Tattersalls Open Ridden Qualifier for next year’s RoR showpiece.“It was the first time he’d been in an indoor show arena but he never put a foot wrong,” said his proud owner Andy Robertson.
Definitly Red’s first @RoRlatest National championships @AintreeRaces making me proud with a 1st,2nd,5th then making the top 8 and into the evening performance for his championship classes @BERacingLtd #HorsesForCourses pic.twitter.com/JpPFnbr1iC
— Andy Robertson (@robbo1107) August 29, 2023
“I wasn’t sure how he’d react but he never left a nut and ate up all his hay so I think he really enjoyed himself.
“He’ll have a well-deserved bit of down time now before I take him back to Aintree to parade in his role as ambassador on Old Roan Chase Day at the end of October.”
There was also a moment to treasure at the four-day finals for Jasean Spraggett who lifted the Veteran Series Championship on another notable Aintree competitor Top Wood – winner of the Randox Health Foxhunter Chase over the National spruces in 2019.
Like Definitly Red, Top Wood proved his versatility by emulating his success on the Liverpool racetrack when he won the Foxhunters for young rider Tabitha Worsley and trainer Kelly Morgan. David Catlow, the Director or RoR, added: “It was a very special event with an atmosphere like no other.
It was heart-warming to see so many former racehorses looking so well with their devoted owners and riders. “A show like this displays all the commitment and passion that exists for thoroughbreds … It is a major showcase for all that is good about racehorses, long after they have retired from the track.
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