The Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) charity has its first race night this evening at Sandown, with the six-race card being preceded by a parade of ex-racehorses and a display by the RoR musical ride team.
Set to the music of pop star Jess Glynne, who is in concert at the track after racing, the equine performance has been arranged by Tom Hunt, a leading dressage-to-music composer.
Competing with Jess Glynne for star billing will be the 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has swept the board in the show ring with rider Chantal Wootten since his retirement from racing in 2010.
Di Arbuthnot, Chief Executive of RoR, commented, “We are really excited and looking forward to the Rock with RoR race night at Sandown. Our thanks go to all those who have made the event possible, in particular Sky Bet and Cappagh for their sponsorship and Jess Glynne and Jockey Club Live for their generous support.
“The aim of Rock with RoR is to raise money and to raise awareness. The funds raised will go towards helping the charity meet its key objectives; increasing demand and increasing opportunities for former racehorses, on education for new owners of RoR horses and promoting high standards of welfare and ensuring we continue to care for and rehome vulnerable former racehorses.”
She added, “For the parade in the paddock between races, the musical ride will be joined by Purple Moon, who represents the successful racehorse who has gone on to excel in another discipline.”
The evening will also see the launch of the RoR's Source A Horse, an online platform to enable the sale or loan of retired racehorses. A silent auction is taking place, with bids able to be placed on the evening or online, and includes nominations to stallions Canford Cliffs (Ire) and Sixties Icon (GB) as well as polo lessons and tours of the Newmarket gallops, Darley Stud and Newsells Park Stud.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
