Ruth Carr Racing | Where are they now

Retired Racehorses (T - Z)

Here at Mowbray we try to find our horses a new home when they have finished racing. It is important to match them up with a compatible rider. Ruth wanted the public to know that contrary to popular belief racehorses can do another job after racing. So it was nice to receive an email from Dan who had followed Sharp Hat through his racing career.

Hi Ruth - just wanted to say you have done a brilliant job with your 'Where Are They Now?' page - it was lovely reading all the stories about some of my old favourites - not enough trainers take the time to update the public on the retired stars of the sport that we follow year in, year out and occasionally we wrongly fear the worst, so I just wanted to express my gratitude! Well done, and keep up the good work! Dan

Here are some of the comments and pictures of horses previously trained at Mowbray, some of them are nearly household names that won a lot of races and others just didn't make the grade!

Taper Jean Girl

Jean was sold to Ollie from near Tadcaster to retrain as a Polo Pony.

15th August "Hi Ruth. It's Steph and Ollie with Taper Jean Girl. We just thought we'd let you know that Jeannie played her first big tournament yesterday, she did amazingly well with it all and even got best playing pony for her match! We are very proud of her!We will send you a pic of her when we go through them from the weekend."

Tomintoul Star

Star was a nicely bred grey filly who one us a little race at Southwell and threaten to do much better but never did. Mandi from near Derby bought her for her son, Dominic, to have some fun with before being covered by her Irish Draught stallion.

25th June Mandi text "Hi Ruth. Star home safe and sound and having just checked her again for the night she is settled and happily munching in the field with the others. Dom fell in love with her on sight! I have decided to do some racehorse classes with her later this year. I'll keep you updated on how she is getting on"

13th August Mandi emailed " Dear Ruth

I though I would drop you and your Mum a quick line to let you know how Tomintoul Star is getting along as it was obvious that your Mum thought very highly of her too. We have given her the stable name of Izel (pronounced Izelle) which means "unique" or "the only one" as she is indeed the only mare of this breeding.

She settled in immediately and is now very much part of our family. We all adore her, as she such a sweet nature. We had a few sessions of brief naps where she refused to move from the yard, but after experimenting the most we get from her now is a sidewards step and then she is off.

She is proving to be very brave and sensible and is super intelligent. She has hacked out both taking the lead, walking alongside or following behind and takes little notice of the traffic at all. We have discovered that she loves jumping and is already happily popping over small uprights and spreads and when she has seen a filler once, she never considers not jumping. We worked out that she has quite a low palate and thick tongue and when we raised the bit slightly higher in her mouth, she stopped trying to cross her jaw and hang her tongue out, so we are now able to ride her in a cavasson. She is working in a Myler Combination Bit at the moment to teach her self-carriage for showing next year. We have never had to use the "brakes" element of it yet.

Her balance for her now different work is improving every time I ride her. The most difficult thing has been learning to sit her ultra-long stride - my word but she covers the ground, so we are currently working on ground poles of different lengths to teach her how to lengthen and shorten her stride at will. I have just bought her a new working hunter saddle with old fashioned serge panels. You would not believe the difference it makes!

Unfortunately I have just had to undergo reconstruction surgery on my ankle so she will not doing much for the next 6 weeks or so, exceptfor a hack with Dominic here or there and popping over a few fences. Dominic and she get on very well and as soon as I am able to drive the lorry again, we are going to go to our local cross-country course for a play.
I have attached a couple of photos for you - but will send some better ones when I have been able to take some.
I was appointed as a judge to the TARRA panel a few weeks ago and from what I have seen and ridden I think she is going to do very very well in those classes.

I hope everyone is well and the horses are running well for you too.

Kind regards Mandi Meer"

15th August Mandi replied to Ruth email regarding putting Star in foal. "Oh yes, she is most definitely going into foal next year and in fact she is already booked in to go to stud in the middle of March so they can monitor her for a couple of weeks and choose the optimum time to inseminate. I'm very very excited!! The vet has already given her a reproductive check and believes she will have let herself down sufficiently to be in tip top condition for breeding and in fact she watched me ride her just before my operation and has been trying to prize her out of my hands since. Fat chance.

When I was discussing with the stud vet as to whether I could continue to work her once in foal I thought she would say "oh no you can't ride her" but she is in fact a great supporter of mares in foal continuing to work for a period of time as apparently there is a lot of evidence to show that keeping them in better fitter condition for as long as possible means they are better able to deal with foaling. Seems sensible to me so if there are no problems, Izel will come home and do a few showing classes etc and keep hacking through the summer until advised otherwise.

We are hoping to move next year and find a small holding to rent where we can set up our own little stud and will then start looking to buy another mare to join Izel - if we can find another one of her quality and nature - so please, if you do think that you have anything coming along I'd love to hear!
I'll put it out that you have a good jumper up for sale and if anyone is looking I'll direct them to your website with pleasure.
I am thoroughly bored to death and counting down the days until I can be released from injury based house-arrest. Hopefully though if all has gone well it will make a huge difference and I won't fall over any more!
Kind regards
Mandi"

20th January 2011 Hi Ruth
Tomintoul Star is very well and she and I have made great friends. Izel is the most delightful mare I have ever known - never sick or sorry and as hard as diamonds and she has, in the last two months, developed a great fondness for a cuddle and a scratch. We all adore her and she is now firmly regarded as part of the family.
She happily hacks out with the other horses (including the stallion) and is working well - albeit a bit...er...fast - in the school and when she gets on one her tail goes round and round at such a rate it's a wonder we don't take off!
We are going to our first unaffiliated jumping competition on 11th February (all being well!) and hopefully completing a small course. She is proving to be very brave and really loves jumping.
She is going to be covered in March and I must admit to be very excited. I think she is going to be a wonderful mum as we have a 6mth old foal who she is totally besotted by. With her nature, her breeding and her conformation I am hoping we will breed a very good eventer. One thing is for sure..it will be able to jump and will no doubt be very fast!
Kind regards
Mandi

Top Jaro

Topper retired from racing in September 2010 after winning 6 races. He found a home near Ayr with Steven who has another ex racehorse also nick named Topper!

30th September 2010 Steven text:- "Topper delivered and getting to know the other Topper! Thank you!"

August 2011:- Hi Ruth.. I believe you spoke to my Dad at Carlisle races the other day and he advised you that unfortunately I had to get "Topper" put down on Wednesday. It was a heartbreaking decision but after consultations with firstly my own vet and then a specialist equine vet in Lanark, the decision was taken on humane grounds. When I first purchased Topper in October of last year he settled in fine and was getting on well with my old "Topper" . Unfortunately over the winter I had problems keeping weight and condition on him, which I first thought was due to the severe weather we had in December and the obvious change in regime/lifestyle etc. I tried all the top of the range feeds, supplements etc but nothing seemed to make any difference. All the time my old horse (who is now sold) was getting half the daily amount and he was in excellent condition. I persevered over the winter hoping that when the spring came he would pick up and gain weight but unfortunately this wasn't the case. I contacted my local vet who then referred him to Clyde Vet Group in Lanark. They originally diagnosed Stomach Ulcers which is obviously not uncommon in race horses, but there were also abnormalities in his blood. He was given a 2 month treatment of Gastro Gard but during this period he got gradually worse. He was then re-admitted to Lanark and they carried out further tests which resulted in him being diagnosed with Peritonitis, Gut lining problems and non-absorption of nutrients from his feed - basically his stomach was wasted. Both vets agreed that it was a lost cause and that he should be put down. All in all over the last 10 months I did not have a chance to see his potential and I only managed to participate in 1 Border Common Riding and a few leisurely hacks. I am now in the process of settling a very hefty vet bill. The purpose of my e-mail is basically to advise you of what happened as no one could have known what was wrong with him. I still regularly follow your website but unfortunately this has not been one of the good luck stories. Kind Regards.. Steven Scott Sanquhar

Torrent

Jim and Jill Allen have been the proud owners of Torrent, who won us 11 races, since October 2007. Torrent went to his first show and won the inhand ex racehorse class! Jim said "He was brilliant and trotted up beautifully for the judge, showing off his beautiful paces and then stood before the judge with his right front leg in the air! He does this at home but we always thought his was begging for a mint or carrot!". Torrent is now quite a regular at the shows in the North West and is always in the ribbons. On the 30th May 2008 Torrent (and his girlfriend Inca!) joined other members of the Ex Racers Club to parade at York Racecourse in between races. It was a wonderful chance to show the general public that racehorses can do another job when retired from racing in the right hands.

23rd October Jim emailed "Just thought that I would give you an update on how Torrent went on at the Ex Racers Championships over last weekend. He was placed 4th in hand in the Newcomers and 6th in hand in the Open. I have to say that these were great results considering the number of horses involved and the standard of the horses. There were horses from all over the UK with the winner having travelled from Plymouth. Bob Champion presented the rosettes which was a really nice moment. In the ridden classes he was placed 9th out of 19, which was again a good result considering the standard. Torrent is going to the Festival of Champions at Aintree on Saturday 1st November so we will try to get some photos of him there for you."

10th November Jim and Jill emailed "I have been promising you some new pictures of Torrent and I managed to get some of him at the Festival of Champions show at Aintree last weekend. Torrent went to the Ex Racers Championships at Arena UK three weeks ago and managed to get a 4th in the In Hand Newcomers and a 6th in the In hand Open, which were good results considering the number of horses competing and the standard was very high. In the ridden he was placed 9th out of 19 which for Torrent was very good as he still has a lot to learn about showing. At Aintree he was placed 4th in the In Hand and the pictures I have attached are from that class. He was entered in the ridden class but the class was supposed to be seven hours after the in hand and I did not want him standing in a trailer for that length of time, so scratched from the class, which was just as well because it didn’t actually start until 10.30pm!! I hope that you like the pictures of him. His head picture I think is stunning. It is a rather quiet time now with showing and I am going to have to start thinking of what I can do over the winter to keep him from being bored. I may try some easy dressage with him to keep his mind active. I will let you know how he goes and will send you any pictures I get over the winter."

31st March 2009 Jim and Jill emailed:- Just a quick update on Torrent I took him to his first dressage test yesterday and he got a 3rd place with a mark of 53.4%. I was really pleased with him. I don’t think he realised he was doing a test and he probably thought he was doing some schooling!! We then took him to friend’s place for him to have a hot bath and solarium. He is hopefully going to the local show next Sunday to do the ex racers classes again. Will keep you up to date.

11th May 2009 Jim and Jill emailed "We took Torrent to Beacon Show today and he won the In Hand again. It was the trophy show and he won the same last year so he has retained his title!! He was unplaced in the ridden class but the judge was very complimentary about him and said that considering his racing history and record he performed really well and considering he was up against horses that have competed at Hickstead and county shows he is doing okay. It doesn’t matter that he comes away empty handed sometimes as he is learning all the time. Love him to bits! Jill took Inca in the In Hand Veteran’s Class and got a second. You should have seen the smile on her face coming out of the ring. The results for Torrent and Inca have now qualified them for the Festival of Champions at Aintree in October. Hopefully we will get some more results in the next few weeks."

17th August 2009 Jim and Jill emailed " Just wanted to let you know how Torrent went on at Mottram Show on Sunday. It was a step up in class for him and was an agricultural show of county standard so we went just in hope really. He was in the TARRA (Thoroughbred and Retired Racers Association - open to any throughbreds registered with Wetherbys) In Hand class and won it. This qualified him to go back into the ring after the ridden class to compete against the first and second from that classs for the championship and he only won that as well! He came away as the show Champion with three firsts rosettes and a Champions rosette along with a Blue Chip hat and prize money as well. It's the first prize money he has won since leaving racing. He is a superstar who just keeps getting better. His manners are fantastic which is obviously down to being looked after when he was a youngster. Your grandad and you have a lot to do with that so I have to thank you."

20th May 2010 Jim and Jill emailed " Hope that you and all your family are well. See you have been having some decent results and hopefully they will continue as last year for you. Just thought I would update you with progress with Torrent, who is very well and really enjoying life at the moment. I took him to Mottram Spring Show two weeks ago which was another qualifier for the TARRA Championships to be held at Newmarket in August, whilst the race meet is actually on that same weekend. He got a second, which was another qualified place for him, as he qualified with a first at the end of last year at the same show. He will be doing another qualifier at Warrington Show at the end of this month and possibly another qualifier at a show near us in July. I am going to be taking him despite the fact that it will be a 400 mile round trip and will probably need us to find stabling for him on the Friday night as the finals are on the Saturday, but he deserves his chance. Secretly I think Jill wants to watch Westlife who are on after the evening racing on the Friday night, which is why she is so keen for me to take Torrent for the Saturday!! Hopefully you might have some runners there on the Saturday and we can meet with you so you can see how he does. Other than that he has been chilling on the grass and been out on the beach. He loves the sea and loves to paddle and get drenched and wet all those around him too. We have recently purchased a Bedford horse box to transprt him about now and to give us a bit of luxury and chill space."

9th July 2010 Jim and Jill emailed "Just a quick update about Torrent. He went to Warrington Show a couple of weeks ago for the TARRA In Hand class. It is a very big show with qualifiers in all sorts of classes and loads of horses there. He was in a big class of ex racers and was initially stood 7th, but when the judge heard about his past race record and he did his individual show he was moved up to 4th. What a star! We are away on holiday in France for the next couple of weeks so he will be getting a well earned chill out. When we get back he will be working everyday to get him looking good for the TARRA Finals at Newmarket in mid August."

23rd August 2010 Jim and Jill emailed "Just thought we would send you an update on the old boy. We went to Newmarket with him last weekend but sadly he was not placed. There were 32 in the finals, which parading around the paddock took up every available inch of space. I was really pleased with him as he behaved perfectly despite being at a race track, although he did have a good look down the course from the paddock. We stabled overnight at the National Stud stables. There were some photos taken of him which I will send to you in the next couple of days. I have attached a photo of him on the beach yesterday. He loves it there and can't wait to get into the sea for a paddle and splash around. He usually gets a bit uptight on the beach but yesterday he was really good and I think he is finally coming to terms with the fact that he is no longer a race horse, although we do have a bit of a blast on the sand when we can and he still has a lot of speed."

25th August 2010 Jill emailed " As promised, here are the photos taken by a photographer at Newmarket - mine were crap as usual! I think I managed one of his bottom and one of the ground! He's been a naughty boy today - gone potty in the field and lost a shoe - Daddy is not too pleased."

8th January 2011 Jill emailed " Hi Ruth

Just thought we would drop you a line to wish you a Happy New Year.

Torrent is well although a little hacked off at being in and not doing much recently - we've not even ventured to the beach. Jim took him to a dressage evening a couple of months ago. He was not too impressed in the collecting ring, especially as there was a shetland whizzing around. I think he thought it was going to go under his belly. Anyway, once in the arena he settle very well and did a lovely test, which he remembered quite well and anticipated!! The judge made some nice comments about his lovely paces and gave them a good score. I think we will be doing a few more soon as this may suite him. My horse also did a couple of good tests, with another rider!!

We have just heard that a friend of ours has lost her ex-racer which she has had for some years. She spent a fotune on vet's bills but sadly lost him to colic. Therefore, she has asked us if we know of any ex-racers looking for a good home. I can assure you that it would be very well looked after and she is a competent rider. If you know of one, either from yourself or another trainer, please could you let us know. A project would be fine as she has little or no money left!! She stables down the road from us and we have known her for at least 20 years. We will keep you up dated about Torrent's progress in dressage. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards Jill, Jim and Torrent"

January 2012 Jim emailed " Hi Ruth, It is lovely to hear from you. We do think about you a lot and are always watching your results, but don't like hassling you with lots of messages. Torrent is very well and thriving. He will be 17 on 17th February !! We have not managed to do any showing with him in the last 12 months due to work problems. Jill was made redundant and ended up working for Jet2 at Blackpool airport through the summer from March until the end of October. She worked every weekend between March and October so showing had to take a back seat. It was a pity really because Torrent was doing so well and picking up some great prizes and awards, but as we are sure you know keeping the wolf from the door and having any sort of job is better then nothing and it had to be done. Jill is currently having to do temp work at various places but looking for a new job and if we can get that sorted then we might be able to do more with the horses this year. We did a bit of digging regarding Torrent's breeder and managed to make contact with her and she was absolutely delighted to hear from us and how he was doing and so happy that he had a good home with us. She even sent us photographs of his mum and dad which was lovely. He certainly took after his mum. We had some problems with Jill's horse Inca and found her cast in her box twice in about 10 days. We think it was due to her going a bit soft in the muscle as we have not been able to do very much with her due to the weather and we do not have particularly good facilities for exercise when it is dark. We have actually moved her to another yard where they have a walker and indoor and outdoor schools so she can get more exercise and touch wood we have not had any further problems with her. We are just waited for a good weekend weather wise and Torrent will be getting taken to the beach for his favourite pastime of splashing about and making sure everyone is wet through. He loves the sea. We will certainly keep in touch with you with any further news. This year has to be better than last. Good look and we will keep watching your progress. Best wishes to you all and hopefully we can meet with you as this season progresses. lots of love Jill and Jim"

TOURNEDOS

Tournedos won a lot of races including two for us and found a home with Joanne from near Rotherham.

5th September 2011 Joanne emailed "He's wonderful, settled in great, loving his grub and has already been ridden and lunged. He seems fine on the roads, he only jibbed at a man walking about ten greyhounds! He does tend to be a bit ticklish so I watch the front end while i brush round his girth. The big test is tomorrow when I turn him out with three big, grumpy mares and two hen pecked geldings that will share his nine acre field. Fingers crossed he learns how to get out of the way quickly! I'll keep you informed, but regardless of that be assured he is very pampered and already loved. Jo"

29th September 2011 Jo emailed "Hi Ruth, just a little update. Toad is doing just great. I have had some tricky times in the month or so I have had him. On his first day out with the others he was kicked in the face. I got to the field and found him bloody and very swollen! I was heart broken and worried he had broken his jaw. However, the way he attacked his tea pretty much ruled that out. He couldn't wear a bridle so was lunged for a week and turned out on his own. He then had an allergic reaction to fly bites and came up in loads of lumps so no riding again! A couple of days later he also pulled a shoe off! So all in all he has been able to avoid doing much work which suits him just fine. Anyway, he's now learnt how to keep away from the grumpy girls and loves his field time. I've also ridden him a few times and he is a pleasure to hack out. He's more or less bomb proof in traffic, but has an aversion to grates! I had forgotten how quick small horses can whip round! We have been working on schooling him and have taken him right back to basics. He goes round corners like an ironing board and on the left circle like to hold his head high and on one side. Also, he has a very short neck which carries a lot of tension. Non of this really matters though cos he is a wonderful boy who always tries and seems to pick things up really quick. He doesn't get flustered by situations and often has the yard kids hung all over him with no worries at all. We hope to enter him in a walk trot dressage test at the end of the month and from december will start to introduce him to the obsticles he will need to negotiate in his new job as a trec horse. I can't believe a race horse could be so laid back, sweet and affectionate. I feel very lucky to have him. Now if I could just get him to keep his shoes on (another off today!) he would be perfect. I'll let you know how he gets on next month. bye bye jo"

30th January 2012 Jo emailed " Hi Ruth, Toad is doing great- eating me out of house and home. We have had some up's and downs. We have had to move yards as he was injured in the field on more than one occasion by another gelding. We have moved to a smaller yard where he has his own small paddock. Not that he was the problem, I have found out the other horse has since had to be banned from the field. Right now it's handy for me to have him on his own so I can supplement the grass with hay. The other horses are only a few yards away so he is happy and relaxed again. Before he was injured he did his first trec competition where he got a fifth place so we were thrilled. The week before Christmas he received a nasty kick to the shin and one to the knee. the shin became infected and has taken a lot of healing. We also found he was becoming naughty out riding and I had to put him in a grackle just for hacking. I also had to ride every day as he wasn't being turned out. Now he has moved he has begun to relax again and i can again canter around in a simple bridle and french link snaffle. I'm not sure how much competing we will do this year as there is no school at our new yard. Never the less, I just love riding him and he is a lovely hack so I'm happy either way. Toad is not so much a horse as a big labrador, happy and loving and a real family favourite. One question, I have booked a dentist for his annual check up. Is he ok to handle or do you think I'll need a sedative? Talk to you soon. Jo"

TRICK OR TWO

Trick or Two, called Ricky, isn't very big but was very speedy and found a home with Sam from near Wakefieldwhen he retired from racing.

2nd August 2010 Sam emailed " Hi Ruth, thought i would just give you a quick update on how Ricky has settled in. He travelled home like a little Gem, didnt even know we had him in the wagon with us. He has had a few days in the field with the others and seems really settled.
He doeasnt really have any friends yet, tends to keep to himself. Starting work next week. Had full set of shoes on so he is ready to rock and roll. Will send some pics and more news about how he takes to life as a riding horse. Regards Sam.

7th September 2010 Ruth spoke to Sam who said that Ricky was well and she was delighted with his progess.

3rd April 2011 Sam emailed "Thought I would let you know how Ricky is getting on. He is a total diamond as usual and has found a new lease of life in the show ring. My window cleaners wife is taking him on the circuit this year and is looking to do the retrained racehorse class at the Great Yorkshire with him. She likes showing and he is going lovely so they are partnering each other for now. Will let you know how he gets on and try get some pics for you."

Watermill

Walter wasn't fast enough to make a flat racehorse and then sustained a hind leg injury when he tried Point to Point racing. He was a lovely ride however and found a good home with Sharon from near Sheffield. Sharon text, " Hi Ruth, just to let you know, Walter has settled in brilliantly now, what a gentle giant. The write up you did was so true, I can do anything with him. Even Lee is very confident around him and he is usually quite weary!" See horses for sale page for pictures of him before he left Mowbray House.

22nd January 2011 Sharon emailed "Walter is such a character, just like a boysterious litle boy. He loves to play and has come on great, showing his true colours. Thanks Sharon from Sheffield x"

25th January 2011 Sharon emailed "He's doing lovely and I'm so glad the nights are getting lighter as I'm able to ride every day again now, some pics of him now. Thanks again. Sharon x"

Watertight

Watertight better known as Edward was so laid back he didn't make it to the racecourse. He has now found a home in Scotland with Kirsty and her partner Patrick. He is being schooled with the end goal being eventing. Kirsty text "Edward has settled in fine! As long as his hay rack is full and he gets his dinner he's happy. He feels like part of the family already! Gets on fine with my other two in the field as well." We look forward to seeing him in Horse and Hound in a few years time! See horses for sale page for pictures of him before he left Mowbray House.

11th November Kirsty text "Just to let you know Edward went very well during his first dressage test, coping very well with the occasion in general! He was 13th out of 29, very respectable considering he is only just getting to grips with the whole hack canter malarky!. Thanks again for a wonderful boy!"

26th May 2009 Kirsty emailed "Just a little update on Edward. He went to his first outdoor show yesterday and behaved brilliantly, he was placed first in the ex racehorse class, 5th in the novice working hunter even though he was very green jumping the course and was 3rd in the open working hunter after that. So over all a very successful day! He has his first x country on the 14th June so hopefully this will go as well. He is still getting placed almost every time out in dressage as well. Sorry no pics as yet, will try and work out how to do that! In the mean time there are some pics on line, some of them aren't great because it was a big event and when he is uptight or spooky he tends to tilt his head a bit but have a look anyway they are at if you click here."

20th June 2009 Kirsty emailed "Just a note to say Edward did quite well at his first x country, quite green but tried everything! Cleared all the small jumps by at least a foot!"

13th July 2010 Kirsty emailed "Just thot I'd send you a little update regarding Edward. He is getting better all the time, Just starting eventing this year again after his 1 outing last year, he loves his XC round, in fact he is getting too strong and brave these days."

8th September 2010 Kirsty emailed "Both Edward and I are fine. We have completed 5 BE horse trials this year with Edward going consistently in dressage and XC completing 4 XC clears. He loves his XC! Not so good at show jumping at the moment but gives us something to improve on over the winter."

24th January 2012 Kirsty emailed " Hi Ruth, Great to hear from you! Edward is fine, at the back end of last year we had a fall show jumping that meant he had to have some time off. Just soft tissue damage though, nothing physiotherapy didn't fix! In December we travelled down to Hexham for a Nicola Wilson clinic and some dressage training which was fun! At the moment we have some issues with his feet, I think the wet weather and the sand in our school is being very abrasive on his feet so he's got some pads fitted and hoping this will sort him out! Patrick and I are in the process of building and we're hoping to be in by march, then we'll be able to look out the window at Edward and our other 2! Can't wait! That's most of my news! Hope all is going well with you! I've seen a couple of things in the horse and hound about your team chasing! That's going well! Edward would be good at that too but it's non existent up here!
Hope you have some nice 2yr olds for the season ahead! Kirsty"