Thriving in a second life: glorious ex-racehorses strut their stuff at Aintree

Here they all are, and it's wonderful. The turf veterans, at once both back where they started and yet riding high on the wave of a new career. Whatever each individual achieved on course, be it a Gold Cup victory or a solitary run at Southwell, all are as equal now as before they ever ran. Aged five or 15, winner of many or none. Here they are cherished beyond measure and champions in their owners' eyes – although only a handful will take away a sash bearing that title come Sunday.

It is a chilly Friday at Aintree, home to the Retraining of Racehorses Goffs UK National Championships. The squally showers and unseasonal temperature seem more fitting for one of the track's jumps meetings than a summer horse show – perhaps it was rain that greeted Always Waining and Word Of Warning last time they were here, who knows.

No matter this time, though, for one of the perks of their second career is the shelter of an indoor arena – the Aintree International Equestrian Centre to be precise (well, some are facing dressage in the rain, but most are dry).