Racehorse Sanctuary News

17th September 2007

Invitation Open Day

On Sunday 9th September at their current home Stonehouse Stables in Cowfold, West Sussex the trustees and volunteers staged an open day for their supporters and invited guests that raised a magnificent £3,450 for this very worthwhile cause.

At 1 pm the gates were opened and well over 100 supporters streamed in to be welcomed by a yard full of very inquisitive horses wondering what all the fuss was about and would there be any Polo’s on offer from all of these people. On this beautiful sunny afternoon there was a lot going on for the visitors including a horseshoe throwing competition which created a considerable amount of amusement, a raffle with some super prizes, two bric-a-brac stalls and an auction of some very interesting pieces.

The main attraction had to be the parade of horses which took place in the ménage consisting of those horses from the Sanctuary who were up to coping with this type of event lead by Moorcroft Boy himself as well as two special guests stars in Topsham Bay and Swift Alliance.

Throughout the afternoon a super spread of refreshments were on offer all of which had been kindly sponsored by several supporters as had all of the raffle prizes and auction items. To top it all at the end of a very long day several of the volunteers stayed behind to help put all of the horses to bed and finish off the yard work, everyone then had glass of very well earned champagne on the grass at around eight pm before finally calling it a day.

Wavertree Dream (Scooby) and Julia

SWIFT ALLIANCE
This super 12-y-o gelding by Belong To Me out of One Quick Bid had a fairly short but successful racing career in which he won one race and ran very creditably in several very high class races.

Swift came to the Racehorse Sanctuary Open Day fresh from the success at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire on Wednesday 5th September when he and his rider Kathleen Botting became the 2007 RoR champion. Our thanks go to Swift’s owner John Martin for allowing Kathleen to show him off to our supporters on this special day.

Swift Alliance

Another General and Beccy

TOPSHAM BAY
Now 24 years old Topsham Bay is a truly remarkable horse who during his racing career ran in 44 races in which he won 10 including two Whitbread Gold Cups at Sandown Park, was placed 2nd 3 times and 3rd 5 times.

Since retiring from racing he has enjoyed competing at local level and regular hunting. All present were absolutely thrilled and privileged to see him and he quite obviously enjoyed showing off to the crowd.

Topsham Bay


Moorcroft Boy