'He's full of it' - Pete The Feat thriving in new home at Racehorse Sanctuary

There is no better advertisement for the success of the veterans' series than Pete The Feat, the small horse with the big heart who took Sandown by storm in his later years.

He won the second running of the final as a 13-year-old in 2017, finished second a year later and ran in the race for the last time as a 15-year-old. His bold jumping and never-say-die attitude earned him a new legion of loyal fans.

Now 18, the son of King's Theatre has been residing at the Racehorse Sanctuary in Pulborough since the summer and is described by yard manager Nigel Dunger as a "star attraction".

Pete The Feat: won Sandown's Veterans' Final at the age of 13 and came back for more aged 14 and 15Credit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "Pete is quite a character. He's very bossy, he's out with two or three mares at the moment and he's in charge.

"When he comes in to be checked and brushed over he takes a little while to settle down. He always goes in the same stall and if you put him in another one he won't be happy.

"He's a lovable rogue. If you put him in a fresh paddock he'll gallop around, he can be a bit on edge. I can see why he was a good racehorse."

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'Pete' is one of 13 horses at the sanctuary which aims to retrain and rehome ex-racehorses. The 2002 Goodwood Cup winner Jardines Lookout is another of the charity's permanent residents.

Dunger added: "We had our open day in September and once you mentioned him people know him; he was trained locally to start with, so he's an attraction.

"He's full of it. You wouldn't think he was that old, you'd think he was more like an eight or nine-year-old. He's thriving, he looks a picture. He carries plenty of condition and he's a good doer; he'll chase the others away to get his food. He won't give up his grub very easily!"

Watch: Pete The Feat wins his final race as a 14-year-old in 2018

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