Sale outcry: veterans will be found a good home or stay put says trainer Chapman

Trainer Michael Chapman insists he has no intention of letting his teenagers Peak Seasons and Feeling Peckish fall into the wrong hands when they appear at a York sale on Friday.

On Tuesday night it emerged that veterans Peak Seasons, who is 15, and Feeling Peckish, 14, will go under the hammer at York Horses Sale, a situation that sparked an outcry on social media.

The Chapman-trained pair have amassed 306 starts between them, with nine wins, and there was concern on Twitter as to where the pair could end up after their lengthy careers.

Peak Seasons: 15-year-old is due to go on sale at York Horses Sale on FridayCredit: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO

However, speaking on Wednesday, Chapman explained it was a financial dispute that has led to his stable stalwarts being sold, and that any welfare concerns are unfounded.

"They have to go to auction so they can be sold before I can take the owner to court," said Chapman. "If you need to take an owner to court you have to send the horses to auction to be sold to the highest bidder.

"I had them in at Ascot's sale in December but it was called off because of the weather. Then when I tried to re-enter them I was told I'd be wasting my time as there wouldn't be any bids because of the age of the horses, and York's sale was suggested."

RoR could step in

Should no suitable homes be found, the pair will return to Chapman's yard in Lincolnshire.

He added: "I would never let horses go to the wrong people. I will make sure that if the two horses are not going to good homes they will be coming home with me.

"I'll definitely be bringing them back unless I'm convinced they're going to good, kind homes. All the social media is way out from the truth."

The BHA and Retraining of Racehorses charity is aware of the sale, with RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot saying on Wednesday: "We'll make sure someone is there, and if there are any sort of welfare issues the RoR, if necessary, would step in.

"That's our procedure for this, and any other market sale. It's an area of concern and always has been since the RoR has been in operation. Between us, the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare we've always worked to cover these situations."

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com