Owners of ex-racehorses that are aiming at showing, will have the chance of taking home a prize pot of £2,500 this year, thanks to the Jockey Club Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) novice thoroughbred ridden show series 2015.
The champion in the series, run for the second year in 2015, will be eligible to compete for the RoR supreme champion elite prize at Aintree in August.
The series is open to thoroughbreds four years old and above that have raced in Britain. Horses must have never won an open show class to enter.
There are 20 qualifiers — beginning on 21 March and running until 21 August — at locations around the country.
The first three from each will go forward to the championship final at Aintree’s RoR National Championships on 29-30 August.
“At the Jockey Club, the welfare of thoroughbred racehorses after they retire is a consideration we take seriously, in line with our mission to act for the good of the sport,” said Simon Bazalgette, group chief executive at the Jockey Club.
“As the success of last year’s series proved, many retired racehorses go on to have fulfilling second careers.
“I hope we will see further examples that racehorses can have successful careers once they retire from the spotlight during this year’s show.”
The 2014 novice champion was Hero Worship ridden by Abi Drury. “It was a great confidence building experience for both of us,” she said.
Ms Drury has since gone on to qualify for the RoR/Tattersalls show series championship at Hickstead in June.
At the qualifiers the Jockey Club is providing rosettes and £150 of prize vouchers per show in addition to the standard prize money on offer.
Di Arbuthnot, RoR chief executive said: “RoR is grateful to have the continued support of the Jockey Club or this popular amateur show series and the championship final taking place at the their prestigious racecourse at Aintree.”
