The summer holidays are over at Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard and 2008 Gold Cup winner Denman is off to begin his new career as a hunter and team chaser in the Cotswolds.
Denman travelled to his new home, at Charlotte Alexander’s yard in Gloucestershire, last week (27 August).
His best pal Kauto Star is back on the yard, while it is decided whether he’ll run again or not, but he’ll have a new neighbour for the first time in eight years – Pacha Du Polder fills Denman’s empty box.
“Denman’s already out in the field with his new best friend, my ex-racehorse Fred [NoMore Prisoners],” Charlotte told H&H. “Then he’s going to be using the horse-walker for a couple of weeks, as he hasn’t been ridden in almost a year [he was retired in December after sustaining a small tendon injury].
“He looks amazing, he travelled brilliantly – he’s a total pro and charming to deal with. And he’s already settled in, he’s so relaxed.”
Charlotte added that she intends to take things slowly with him, focusing on roadwork before taking him out hunting.
“If he takes to that, we’ll try team chasing – I’m sure he will, though coming out of racing everything’s a huge learning curve,” she said. “I think he’ll make a fabulous hunter as he’s so athletic. My plan is to run him in the open teamLycetts; A Class Act in the future.”
H&H will be following Denman’s new career with an exclusive blog by Charlotte.
- Read the first instalment of Denman’s Diary
