12.30 - RoR Parade of The Queen’s Former Racehorses

PARADE OF THE QUEEN’S FORMER RACEHORSES 12.30PM

As part of the celebrations To mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is showcasing Her Majesty’s passion for the thoroughbred by bringing together five of her former

racehorses to parade on Cazoo Derby Day. The parade takes place in the paddock from 12.30pm and highlights the versatility of the thoroughbred together with the range of activities open to racehorses when they finish their racing careers. Many of The Queen’s racehorses have been retrained in different equine disciplines and she follows their progress with interest and takes considerable pride in their success. Today’s parade includes Barbers Shop and Quadrille, two horses that have reached the very top in their chosen careers after racing. Very few thoroughbreds can match the level of success enjoyed by Barbers Shop in the show-ring, while Quadrille is the highest performing former racehorse on the UK dressage circuit. Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is British Horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses that have retired from racing and it annually stages more than 40 separate competition series across 15 different disciplines, catering for all levels of ability, from grassroots to elite. The disciplines include dressage, showing, polo, eventing, show jumping, endurance, hunting and horseball. For more information visit: www.ror.org.uk

Her Majesty The Queen greets Quadrille at the opening of the National Horseracing Museum Barbers Shop and Katie Jerram-Hunnable in front of HM The Queen

BARBERS SHOP ridden by Katie Jerram-Hunnable

20-year-old by Saddlers’ Hall Formerly trained by Nicky Henderson Breeder – Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

Leading today’s parade is Barbers’ Shop. Now aged 20, Barbers Shop was bred by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. He raced in the colours of The Queen and was trained by Nicky Henderson, winning eight races and being placed in a King George VI Chase and a Hennessy Gold Cup. Since his retirement from racing in 2012, Barbers Shop has been in the care of top showing producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable and he became one of the leading former racehorses to compete in showing classes. His second career highlights include being crowned champion at Hickstead and becoming a three times winner and champion at The Royal Windsor Horse Show. He is now retired from competitive showing but regularly participates in RoR parades.

FIRST RECEIVER ridden by Ellie Greenhalgh

5-year-old gelding by New Approach Formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute Breeder – The Queen

Like Barbers Shop, First Receiver is also based with Katie Jerram-Hunnable. This son of New Approach was last seen on the racetrack at Royal Ascot in 2020 when finishing second in the Hampton Court Stakes. Still only a 5-yearold, First Receiver has a long showing career ahead of him and he tasted early success when winning the Tattersalls RoR In-Hand class at Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2021. He has been placed second in the three ridden RoR classes he has competed in so far this year and in the process has qualified for the final of the Tattersalls RoR Novice series at Aintree in August.

FORTH BRIDGE ridden by Captain Harry Grantham

9-year-old gelding by Bernardini Formerly trained by Michael Bell and Charlie Longsdon Breeder – The Queen

Forth Bridge ran on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences and is now looking ahead to a career in dressage. Known at home as William, this handsome horse only joined Louise Robson’s ‘Thoroughbred Dressage’ team in late 2020 but he is already showing a real aptitude for the sport. On only his second outing, Forth Bridge qualified for the RoR Regional Dressage Championships at Preliminary level. He is turning out to be a very level-headed, exceptionally kind and trainable horse and Louise is excited for his future.

PRINCE’S TRUST ridden by Charlotte Thorne

12-year-old gelding by Invincible Spirit Formerly trained by Richard Hannon Snr and William Haggas Breeder – The Queen

Prince’s Trust had eight starts on the Flat, winning three races. However, in 2014 he sustained an injury which caused a premature end to his racing career and a year later he joined Louise Robson’s team of dressage horses. Affectionately known as Phillip, this shy and sensitive horse is now performing at Advanced level dressage and he has demonstrated an impressive capability for the higher-level movements. He has previously competed at the RoR National Dressage Championships at Aintree and the aim is to do so again this year.

QUADRILLE ridden by Louise Robson

15-year-old gelding by Danehill Dancer Formerly trained by Richard Hannon Snr Breeder - The Queen

Ten years before First Receiver finished second at Royal Ascot, another of The Queen’s horses also filled the runnerup spot in the same race; Quadrille was beaten just a short-head in the 2010 running of the Hampton Court Stakes. The winner of three of his seven starts, this talented performer’s racing career was curtailed by a tendon injury, but it has not stopped Quadrille from thriving in a different discipline. Retrained by Louise Robson, Quadrille is now the highest performing former racehorse on the UK dressage circuit and competes at international Prix St George level. In 2019 he claimed a unique double, being crowned both RoR Dressage Elite Champion and RoR Horse of the Year.