I’ve volunteered for Retraining of Racehorses for around nine years, having been asked if I wanted to be a co-ordinator for the east region on a voluntary basis. I didn’t have an ex-racehorse at the time, but had been attending RoR events with my sister and her retired racehorse, Beanie. Seeing the work of the co-ordinators, I thought I could do a good job of following in their footsteps and creating more and different types of activities for the East Anglia area. And, as they say, the rest is history! 

I got my own ex-racehorse, Freddie, seven years ago and then, four years ago, I came back to working within the racing industry as a full-time stud and racing secretary. I felt it was even more important to continue supporting RoR. I wanted to keep doing all I could for the wonderful horses we rely on, so I still volunteer and now mainly look after Newmarket, where I live and work. 

It’s been incredible to form such a close-knit and kind RoR community in Newmarket; it is something I am really proud of. We’ve all seen posts on social media about ‘crazy ex-racehorses’ and seen adverts online from people looking to buy horses with the line ‘no Thoroughbreds!’, so it can be tough for new ex-racehorse or Thoroughbred owners to feel supported and not judged. I want the RoR events I host to be places of fun, light-heartedness and no judgement – we are all in the same boat together. 

Over the years, I have been honoured to be approached by some of the top trainers in Newmarket to act as a ‘matchmaker’ of sorts, helping to put people looking for retired racehorses in touch with trainers who want to find homes for horses after their racing careers have come to an end. 

Volunteering for RoR is incredibly fulfilling and I have made so many wonderful friends along the way. Here’s to many more years.