All-star Line Up Of Retired Racehorses To Parade On William Hill Super Saturday

William Hill Super Saturday will feature not only the stars of today, but also numerous National Hunt legends who enjoyed much success at the track in years gone by. Those returning to parade at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday 7th February include Native River, Dashel Drasher, Coneygree, Barbers Shop, Smad Place and Lord du Mesnil. The parade will take place at 2pm, prior to the 2026 renewal of the Grade 2 William Hill Denman Chase.

The hugely popular Native River was unbeaten in five starts over fences at Newbury, winning the Hennessy Gold Cup in 2016 and the Denman Chase in 2017, 2018 and 2020. Trained by Colin Tizzard for Brocade Racing, he earned more than £1.1 million in prize money during his career, including victory in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Since retiring, Native River, aka ‘Garfield’, has appeared at a school prom, the 30th Anniversary of the Rocking Horse Nursery at Newbury Racecourse, Boodles in Bond Street and starred in numerous racecourse parades. In 2024 he was crowned Tattersalls RoR Amateur Show Series Final Champion at Hickstead and won the Injured Jockeys Fund Southwest Jockeys Showjumping challenge at Bicton Arena when ridden by former champion jockey Harry Cobden.

A regular performer at the Berkshire track, Dashel Drasher will be returning to the scene of his 2023 Coral Long Distance Hurdle win. Born and bred at Jeremy Scott’s farm, his departure from the yard was an emotional one when he was collected by Nessie Chanter just last year. Although he hasn’t been out of training long, he is proving a natural out trail hunting with the Heythrop.

Success in the 2015 Denman Chase confirmed the Bradstocks’ decision to send Coneygree to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he became the first novice to win the race in 41 years. Coneygree retired from racing in 2019 and has since been re-trained by Mark’s wife, Sara, who will be riding him in Saturday’s parade. Together they have won several RoR showing classes and twice qualified for the final of the Tattersalls RoR Show Series at Hickstead. Coneygree has even had a go at Team Chasing with Sara’s son, Alfie.

Formerly trained by Nicky Henderson and bred by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Barbers Shop will parade under his now owner Katie Jerram-Hunnable. Barbers Shop raced in the late Queen’s colours and was an eight-time winner. He ran a total of five times at Newbury, placing in the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup [now Coral Gold Cup] before finishing third in the Grade 1 King George VI Chase at Kempton. Since retiring from racing in 2012, he has enjoyed an outstanding second career in showing, including being crowned 2013 Tattersalls RoR Champion at Hickstead and becoming a three-time champion at Royal Windsor Horse Show. He is now retired from competitive showing.

A winner of three races at Newbury, including the 2015 Hennessy Gold Cup [now Coral Gold Cup] when trained by Alan King, Smad Place retired to Sarah Haydon in 2019. Still owned by Mrs Peter Andrews, the now 19-year-old has fitted perfectly into family life and been a wonderful example of an RoR. He and Sarah continue to attend clinics, RoR camps and are hoping to qualify for the Jockey Club RoR National Championships, which take place at Aintree every August.

Lord du Mesnil joined new owner Ceri Morgan in March 2025 following a successful racing career with Richard Hobson. After a short break, he returned to light work and recently attended his first RoR qualifier, behaving impeccably. Ceri plans to campaign him in both in-hand and ridden RoR qualifiers during the coming season, with the aim of reaching either the Tattersalls Final or Horse of the Year Show.

Tickets for William Hill Super Saturday can be purchased via the button below, with discounts available until 11:59pm on Friday 30th January and U18s going free.

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