TWO young ladies from the Chew Valley had the most wonderful invitation to go to the ‘Home of Racing’ with their horses, writes Rosie Sage.

Racegoers at Cheltenham Festival welcomed back some of National Hunt racing’s most celebrated stars when Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) staged a special parade in the parade ring from 12.15pm before the first race on March 10.

The parade shone a spotlight on 14 remarkable former racehorses, many of them Cheltenham heroes and Grade 1 winners; each with their own story and now enjoying fulfilling second careers across a variety of disciplines including showing, dressage, eventing, and as much-loved family pets.

Lilly Clothier from Chewton Mendip rode her retrained racehorse Elegant Escape; this was a second visit to Cheltenham. Also invited was Jess Wyatt of Stowey riding her retrained racehorse Ramses De Teillee, this was a very exciting visit, their first.

The girls said how well Cheltenham looked after them and their horses on the day.

Jess said it was a lovely experience and “not many can say they have ridden into the winners’ enclosure at Cheltenham.

“I’ve had Ramses De Teillee less than two years. Last summer we did showing classes, now eventing. He is a lovely horse, so friendly and really enjoying life now.”

Lilly found visiting Cheltenham really exciting as it was all new. She said: “It was no less exciting although you could enjoy more as we had time to absorb the wonderful experience of riding in the world famous paddock, and just think whose hooves have graced this area.

“Elegant Escape knew where he was and you wondered if he thought he would be going onto the track for another spin around this brilliant racecourse.”

They both hope to be back next year.

RoR is British Horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses that have retired from racing.