Wales-based former racehorse and owner unveiled as finalist for prestigious RoR Horse of the Year Award

SECOND BROOK, NEATH’S REMARKABLE FORMER RACEHORSE, UNVEILED AS FINALIST FOR PRESTIGIOUS RoR HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARD

• Neath-based Second Brook, and owner Lesley Sayers, named as finalists for the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Horse of the Year Award 2025, sponsored by The Jockey Club
• The former racehorse has been recognised after being crowned Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Dressage champion
• Lesley lost her sight 10 years ago but her close bond with Second Brook has led to great success
• Public vote open until 5pm on Friday 10 January at www.ror.org.uk/awards
• Awards ceremony on Saturday 25 January to be opened by RoR Patron, Zara Tindall

Neath-based former racehorse Second Brook, and owner Lesley Sayers, have been shortlisted for a prestigious Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) award following a remarkable season where they were crowned Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Dressage champion.

In his racing career, Second Brook, also known by his stable name Seb, or Dude, ran 25 times. Since retiring in 2014, Second Brook has retrained in a variety of equine disciplines including dressage and showing, demonstrating the remarkable versatility of Thoroughbreds. 

RoR, British horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of former racehorses, introduced the Horse of the Year Award in 2014 and nominations are open to all RoR registered former racehorses who can demonstrate how they have successfully transitioned from racing to a new career.  The winner will receive the iconic bronze Horse of the Year trophy, as well as the coveted winner’s rug.

2024 was an excellent year for both Second Brook and Lesley, who lost her sight 10 years ago meaning she relies solely on Second Brook’s vision when competing. After success at the end of 2023 in the Dressage Anywhere RoR League, the pair attended their first RoR camp at Lincomb in May and began regular training with the United Counties RDA Group. The highlight of a stellar year came when they won the RDA National Dressage title in the B1 grade.

Owner of Second Brook, Lesley Sayers, said: “I was overwhelmed when I found out I was a finalist for this award, it would mean so much if we won because he really is the horse of the year. Seb has helped me adapt to life in the dark, he tests my abilities but always looks after me.” 

Animals have been a source of great encouragement for Lesley, who praises her former and current guide dogs as inspiration to wanting to ride horses.

40-year-old Lesley added: “If it wasn’t for my now retired guide dog Flynn, I wouldn’t have even considered getting Seb, I wasn’t even riding when I first lost my sight. I’ve now got a new dog, Jim, and if it wasn’t for guide dogs, I wouldn’t have this fantastic horse in my life.”

Nominations for this year’s award came from across the racing and equestrian communities, with an independent judging panel facing the difficult task of selecting the top four finalists. Second Brook and Lesley are up against Amroth Bay and Sophie Kington from Nottinghamshire, Evron and Stella Bunn from Worcestershire, and Master Wickham and Claire Lewis from Derbyshire.

David Catlow, Managing Director of RoR, commented: “The outstanding nominations we received made selecting finalists a tough task for our judges. Each story underscores the incredible versatility of former racehorses as they transition into new careers, as well as the unwavering dedication to their care and wellbeing shown by those committed to aftercare.” 

The 2025 RoR Awards will be especially meaningful as they coincide with RoR’s 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of commitment to supporting former racehorses through an established welfare safety net, as well as providing education, support, and advice for their owners, alongside a series of well-established events.

To mark this milestone occasion, the ceremony will be opened by RoR Patron, Zara Tindall, underscoring the significance of the work and ongoing dedication of the RoR supporters. 

Zara Tindall commented: “I am thrilled to be attending the RoR Awards 2025. The charity’s tireless commitment to supporting the retraining and wellbeing of retired racehorses reflects my passion for these incredible animals. I look forward to celebrating the achievements made over the past 25 years and to helping RoR continue making a positive impact across the racing and equine communities.”

Previous recipients of the Horse of the Year Award include well-known and popular former racehorses Liverpool, Monet’s Garden, Beware Chalk Pit, Monkerty Tunkerty, the late HM The Queen’s horse Quadrille, First Fandango, and the incumbent title holder Que Sera. 

The public vote is now open and closes at 5pm on Friday 10 January. To review all the finalists’ stories and participate in the voting process, visit www.ror.org.uk/awards. The winner will be announced at the RoR Awards at Cheltenham Racecourse on Festival Trials Day on Saturday 25 January 2025.