Mon Mome the 100/1 winner of the 2009 Grand National will take part in the first ever RoR Racecourse to Racecourse Ride on Sunday 23rd August. The ride from Stratford Racecourse to Warwick Racecourse is intended to highlight the charity’s work, as well as showcase the adaptability and versatility of former racehorses enjoying life after racing in a range of equestrian pursuits.

Winner of six of his 53 starts and £753,000 in prize money, 14-year-old Mon Mome by coincidence ran the final race of his career at Warwick Racecourse. Since his retirement from racing in 2013, he has remained on familiar grounds at trainer Venetia Williams’ racing yard in Hertfordshire and in the hands of his former groom, Sarah McQueen has been enjoying a relaxed pace of life as well as retraining for the show ring. 

Sarah says that everyone is pleased he will be part of the ride: “Mrs Bingham (Owner) and Miss Williams both felt that the RoR Racecourse to Racecourse ride would be something fun for him to take part in. He still loves being the centre of attention and he’ll no doubt enjoy the event and acting as an ambassador for all RoR horses!”

The RoR Racecourse to Racecourse Ride will start from Stratford Racecourse and follow a route through the picturesque Warwickshire villages of Shottery, Wilmcote, Aston Cantlow, and Norton Lindsay in Shakespeare’s county on the 16.5 mile ride to one of the oldest Racecourses in the country, Warwick Racecourse.

The RoR Racecourse to Racecourse ride is the idea of RoR Central Regional Coordinator Karen Beaumont to involve as many RoR riders in helping to raise awareness of the charity’s work.

Karen, who will be taking her former racehorse Coverdale Lady, says:

“The idea of riding from Racecourse to Racecourse is primarily to highlight the success and adaptability of some of the 10,500 former racehorses now registered with RoR enjoying success with second careers and life after racing.”

Mrs Ilona Barnett, Racecourse Manager at Stratford Racecourse is a big fan of the retrained racehorse and is delighted to be involved with this first ROR ride. She says;

“The event highlights the many uses racehorses have after they have finished their racing careers. I personally have always owned and ridden ex racehorses and find them to be very versatile and know how they are suited to all disciplines. We will give every rider who takes part a free ticket to return to enjoy a day’s racing at Stratford Racecourse.”

Huw Williams, general manager of Warwick Racecourse, also says:

“We too are delighted to be supporting the first RoR Racecourse to Racecourse Ride and look forward to welcoming Mon Mome and all of the RoR horses and riders here as we prepare for our action-packed new season of jump racing starting in September.

“As a Jockey Club Racecourse, we take the welfare of Racehorses after they retire from horse racing seriously in line with our mission to act for the good of the sport and it is therefore great to be involved in this initiative to help raise funds and awareness of the charity’s work.”

Karen has planned the route to give horse and rider a ride primarily on lanes, which she says is mainly a walk with some trot.  Horses should be of a relevant fitness but we would encourage as many riders to join us for a walk and a trot around glorious countryside.

To take part, riders must complete the Booking Form, which is available to download online and return by 7TH August 2015 with an initial £30 in sponsorship to secure participation. More information about RoR Racecourse to Racecourse Ride can be found at www.ror.org.uk. To donate please visit www.justgiving.com or Text RORS23 £5 to 70070 to donate to RoR.