The very best of Britain’s former racehorses took centre stage last week as the Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Showing Series reached its thrilling climax across two of the country’s most prestigious equestrian venues.

Royal Highland Show Crowns Scottish Champion

The action kicked off at the Royal Highland Show on Thursday 19 June, where the final of the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Scottish Show Series delivered a familiar winner with an inspiring story. Rich Man Poor Man, owned by Morean Hamilton and expertly produced by leading show producer Kristine Douglas, reclaimed his crown as the 2025 Tattersalls RoR Scottish Champion.

This remarkable gelding’s journey perfectly embodies the transformative power of retraining. Formerly trained by Philip Kirby, Rich Man Poor Man’s five-race National Hunt career was unremarkable. However, since hanging up his racing silks in 2017, he has become a show ring sensation. His impressive CV includes being the previous Tattersalls RoR Scottish Champion in 2021 and Supreme Champion at The Jockey Club RoR National Championships in 2022.

Hickstead Hosts Double Finals Spectacular

The series then moved south to the iconic Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting on Sunday 22 June, where two finals captivated the enthusiastic crowd in the legendary International Arena.

In the Tattersalls RoR Open Ridden Show Series Final, last year’s reserve champions Festive Fare and Rebecca Court (feature image) stepped up to claim the top prize with a polished and composed performance that showcased their partnership at its finest.

The Tattersalls RoR Amateur Final produced an equally compelling winner in An Cathaoir, a one-eyed gelding whose remarkable story touched hearts. Ridden by Victoria Bertorell, their confident display and strong partnership impressed the judges and demonstrated that physical challenges need not limit potential.

With over 50 former racehorses competing at Hickstead alone, the finals showcased the incredible breadth of talent these horses possess – from former flat racers to seasoned National Hunt campaigners, all finding new purpose and success.

Industry Leaders Celebrate Success

David Catlow, Managing Director of RoR, commented: “Tattersalls’ continued support has been key to the success of the RoR Showing Series, providing former racehorses with real opportunities to shine in second careers. It’s a privilege to hold these finals at such prestigious events. The standard this year has been outstanding — a true testament to the dedication of riders, retrainers and owners.”

Alex Mommersteeg, Tattersalls representative, added: “The standard of retraining on display at the RoR finals continues to impress us year after year. It’s incredibly rewarding to see so many former racehorses flourishing in new careers. Tattersalls is proud to support RoR and grateful to everyone who contributes to making the series such a success.”

A Growing Movement

The success of these finals reflects the broader growth of the RoR movement. With over 170 RoR showing qualifiers held annually across Great Britain – from Cornwall to Aberdeenshire – the Tattersalls RoR Showing Series continues to celebrate the versatility and potential of former racehorses.

These world-class venues provide the perfect stage for showcasing the talent and dedication of everyone involved in giving these horses their second chance to shine, reinforcing the growing prominence of former racehorses within the wider equestrian community.

Feature image: Rebecca Court and Festive Fair © Helen Cruden 2025