Four Knavesmire favourites join Goldream as York links up with RoR Horses for Courses initiative
York has joined the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Horses for Courses initiative, which aims to shine light on the care given and opportunities available to horses in their lives after racing.
The Knavesmire’s equine ambassador, King’s Stand Stakes winner Goldream (aka Remy), inspired the initiative and – alongside four other horses with a history at York – officially joins the programme.
Starting at this week’s Dante festival, York’s charity partner New Beginnings will showcase Remy to the public, which will continue throughout the season both on-course and via community visits.
RoR managing director David Catlow, said: “We're delighted that York is joining Horses for Courses. Through the work with Goldream, York have led the way in terms of working with an equine ambassador and we look forward to seeing how they can share a range of aftercare stories from the other horses who have joined the programme.”
In addition to Goldream, the horses joining are Nunthorpe Stakes winner Alpha Delphini, Ebor victor Nakeeta, and course specialists Mr Lupton and Top Notch Tonto. York’s social media channels will provide updates on the second careers of all five.
Catlow added: “Racecourses have an important role in conveying positive messages about the high standard of aftercare in British racing to racegoers. We hope that Horses for Courses is proving an effective vehicle to help the industry promote its commitment to aftercare.”
Steve Jobar raises £193,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association
The fundraising efforts of Steve Jobar have been hailed by the chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association after the former jockey raised almost £200,000 at a charity day at Newbury in March.
The successful day consisted of a fundraising lunch and silent auction, while the Steve Jobar MND Handicap Hurdle was won by the Lucy Wadham-trained Zain Nights.
Jobar, who rode more than 130 winners including Heighlin in the 1980 Triumph Hurdle, had aimed to raise £100,000 but by the final count had almost doubled his target.
Tanya Curry, chief executive of the MND Association, said: "It is both humbling and commendable that while facing his own challenging journey with MND Steve chose to take on the mammoth task of organising such a large event to support others.
"The amount of money raised is truly outstanding and our thanks go to everyone involved."
Half the money raised will fund research for a cure, while the other half will go to the association’s Reading and West Berkshire branch, which has supported Steve and his wife Dottie Channing-Williams since his diagnosis in 2022.
Channing-Williams added: "Originally I felt I was being over optimistic in hoping to reach a figure of £100,000. To raise almost double that sum is beyond our wildest dreams and we couldn't have done it without the support of so many generous people.”
Win a morning on the gallops in charity raffle
A draw to win a morning on the gallops with one of seven trainers is among the prizes on offer in the run up to the Starlight Charity Raceday at Newbury on Friday.
Trainers Nicky Henderson, Richard Hannon, Andrew Balding, Richard Hughes, Jonathan Portman, Alan King and Jamie Snowden are offering the opportunity to spend a morning with them on the gallops, with breakfast or a pub lunch, to help raise funds for the Starlight Children's Foundation. Tickets cost £10 each.
A silent auction, featuring prizes such as a box for a day at Cheltenham and tickets to Bruce Springsteen, is also live on the Starlight Raceday website. More information can be found at www.starlightraceday2024.com.
'Our horse of a lifetime' - Grade 1-winning chaser Kalahari King dies at the age of 23
Kalahari King, who won the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree under Graham Lee in 2009, has died at the age of 23.
He was beaten a short head by Forpadydeplasterer in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham earlier that season and also finished second in the Ryanair Chase at the festival two years later.
Kalahari King, who was trained by the late Ferdy Murphy for Julie and Neil Morgan, won 12 races and earned over £430,000 in prize-money.
Reporting his death, Neil Morgan said: "Despite all the best efforts of the vets, this was one of the few battles he couldn't win. He was our horse of a lifetime and a remarkable character. He will be missed."
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