The 2016 winner of the feature race, Native River, is one of six retired racehorses parading after the first race on Saturday December 2, day two of the Coral Gold Cup meeting. His previous victories also include the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and dual Denman Chase winner. Formerly trained by Colin Tizzard, Native River returns to his beloved Newbury where he enjoyed much success on the track as well as having been the star guest at the 30^th Anniversary of the onsite Rocking Horse Nursery in 2022. Ridden by Jazmin Hosgood, the 13-year-old has been attending dressage clinics with the aim to compete in RoR showing classes, dressage and jumping.

 

Also featured in Saturday’s parade is the three-time Grade 1 Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai. Formerly trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, the popular grey ran in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. He retired in February 2023 having earned over £900,000 for connections. He is now enjoying his life in retirement with Clare Alexander and has been on hound exercise and autumn hunting with the Kent and Surrey Bloodhounds and Surrey Union Hunt.

 

The winner of the 2015 Denman Chase at Newbury and Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season, Coneygree, retired from racing back in February 2019. Trained by Mark Bradstock, he became the first Novice to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 41 years when ridden by Nico de Boinville. He has excelled in his career after racing having been re-trained by Mark’s wife Sara. Coneygree has had much success in the showing ring in RoR classes having twice qualified for the final of the Tattersalls RoR Show Series at Hickstead. He recently took part in the Cotswold Team Chase ridden by Alfie Bradstock.

 

 

The line-up also includes Balthazar King, formerly trained by Philip Hobbs. His victories included the 2014 cross-country chase at the Cheltenham Festival as part of his long career which saw him win 16 times. Having enjoyed several seasons hunting with Izzi Beckett, wife of trainer Ralph, Balthazar King is now a ‘schoolmaster’ for the Jockey Club’s social media manager Michael Andrews who will accompany him on Saturday.

 

Aso, formerly trained by Venetia Williams was retired in 2022 and will be ridden by Laura Taylor in Saturday’s parade. The combination has enjoyed success in the dressage arena and qualified for the Riding Club dressage championships.  

 

 

2015 Hennessy Gold Cup winner Smad Place, formerly trained by Alan King, is still owned by his racing owner Mrs Peter Andrews. He now competes in local unaffiliated preliminary dressage events and goes cross country schooling under rider Sarah Haydon.

 

Clerk of the Course, George Hill, is delighted to welcome the calibre of National Hunt stars back to Newbury: “The line-up of horses we have in the parade on Saturday is exceptional with multiple Grade 1 winners and many who enjoyed much success here at Newbury as well as previous winners of our feature race. It is our pleasure to be able to host the parade to showcase the careers that former racehorses can go on to have in retirement. Our thanks go to all connections who are kindly bringing them to the meeting for racegoers to enjoy and we welcome everyone to watch the parade after the conclusion of the first race on Saturday.”

 

All six retired stars will be paraded in the paddock at approximately 12:08pm before the start of the second race of the day.