AFTER THE TRACK

A YEAR IN THE (EXTRAORDINARY) LIFE OF SIDE GLANCE

What happens to horses after they retire from the track? It’s one of the most common questions around racing. The vast majority of thoroughbreds are rehomed and spend their life at grass, grazing in fields and enjoying their wellearned down time. But a second career can beckon for some.

Retraining of Racehorses aims to help equine athletes enjoy a new lease of life through other pursuits, and its Horses For Courses initiative – providing racecourses with an Equine Ambassador - showcases the care and opportunities afforded to racehorses after the track.

Side Glance is Ascot’s Equine Ambassador – if you’ve visited Ascot over the last 12 months there’s a chance you’ve seen him here, greeting racegoers and posing for photos with children.

And after a spectacular career which took him to Dubai, Australia, the USA and Singapore, ‘Sidey’ has been just as well-travelled in the past year, albeit with slightly less time spent on planes!

Leanne White is the proud owner of Side Glance now, having known him as a foal since her time at Kingsclere with Andrew Balding, then travelling around the world with him for his international escapades.

“I don’t know how I would have coped without him,” she says. “Having been with him for so many years you get such a close bond with these horses you travel with because often you’re on your own. They sort of become your best friend.”

They sort of become your best friend.

Whilst he might not be competing on the racetrack any more, Sidey has not lost that competitive edge. He’s had a go at side saddle, dressage and jumped over poles, and taken part in Working Hunter sessions locally, even winning his class to the delight of Leanne.

“I think it’s really important for people to understand that these horses can go on and have another career,” Leanne adds. “We saw it in the last Olympics, there were ex-racehorses that were competing. They’re really versatile, with a bit of patience, care and retraining, they can go on and do anything really.”

And he’s certainly kept drawing in the crowds after racing. Sidey has done plenty of school visits in the local area, thrilling the kids with his calm temperament and magnificent aura.

Leanne adds, “The school visits have been fantastic. To see the kids get so excited to see him, and even the ones that are a little bit timid will come up and give him a stroke or a Polo! Hopefully we can inspire the next generation to come into the industry.”

And the older generation have delighted in his presence too, with care home residents even indulging in selfies with our Equine Ambassador!

“That was really special to see them come up to him, and he just stands there and lets them pet him. Thoroughbreds are a really special breed and they know when they are around someone vulnerable,” recalls Leanne.

You might have even seen ‘Sidey’ on some of our Royal Ascot campaign artwork, both in 2023 and 2024. Last year he was the face of the ‘Ascot You’ next to a cycle stand, and this year he was front and centre again – the camera certainly loves him!

It’s been a captivating year for Sidey and Leanne, proving the versatility of these magnificent animals and showing that there’s plenty of life in the thoroughbred post-retirement.