Latest news with #horses
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
King Charles and Queen Camilla meet racehorse Stradivarius as they visit The National Stud in Newmarket
They share a fondness for horses with the late Queen Elizabeth II, so it was no surprise that the King and Queen looked right at home on Tuesday as they visited The National Stud in Newmarket. Charles, 76, and Camilla, 78, were pictured meeting racehorse Stradivarius, who has won 18 Group wins - more than any other European horse, on the centre lawn of the farm, which offers industry-leading stud services and boarding for mares, young stock, and spellers. Upon their arrival, Their Majesties, accompanied by Lord Grimthorpe and the Stud's CEO, Ms Anna Kerr, met members of staff, and representatives from racing charities and trusts - including 'Riding A Dream' and 'Autism in Racing'. One of the officials in the line-up praised the King's French, telling him: 'Compliments on your French during the State Visit - fabulous' to which the King jokingly replied: 'I don't know about that. I did a lot of brushing up.' Next, the royal couple met representatives from racing charities and trusts including Jane Buick, an ambassador for Autism in Racing who is working with the National Stud team to develop tours for neuro divergent groups and Oshane Marsh, a graduate from the Riding a Dream academy, who learned to ride at the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton which Camilla supports. Camilla, wearing a patterned silk dress and a straw fan-shaped clutch bag, told him: 'It's lovely to see a graduate from Ebony'. 'Also gathered to meet them were members of the National Stud's and British Racing School's Education teams. The National Stud's education team runs a programme of full and part-time courses and is the only provider of vocational thoroughbred breeding education in the UK. Around 50 students complete the programmes each year, with an 89 per cent retention rate of graduates working in racing after graduation. Camilla, who became patron of the British Racing School which is based near Newmarket earlier this year, together with Charles also met Katie Longbottom and Katie Fleming, the author and illustrator of the National Stud storybooks, which are currently in development and aim to encourage young children's interest in horses from an early age. The books feature an array of equine characters, including foals, stallions and holidaying racehorses, and their adventures beyond the paddocks. Looking at some of the artwork from the books on easels, the King asked Fleming how she produced her work, and heard how she works up paintings from sketches first made on a tablet. The King and Queen then watched a parade of the stud's four resident stallions - Lope Y Fernandez, Bradsell, Rajasinghe and Stradivarius – the latter of which won 18 Group 1 races, often jockeyed by Frankie Dettori. After his parade, Stradivarius was walked over to Charles and Camilla, who patted him and gave him mints. His handler told them 'he loves the cameras', and Charles asked after his daily routine and whether he was 'turned out a lot of the time'. Told he was out for most of the day and then in his stable for 'his dinner in the evenings,' Camilla joked: 'That's the good life'. They were also shown two retired racehorses who now live at the National Stud - The Tin Man and Lord Windemere. At one point, Lord Windermere reared up and swung round, prompting Camilla to quickly run out the way. After seeing two of the mares and their foals out in a field, Charles and Camilla, who have some of their own horses in training in Newmarket, then met several local trainers, including Charlie Fellowes, before joining the stud's gardener, Ian Bailey, who has worked at the stud for 46 years, by two pre-planted field maple trees. 'Do you want me to do the digging?' Charles asked, taking a spade and heaping some soil around the roots before tapping the trunk as his customary 'handshake' to wish the tree luck, after which Camilla gave the tree a drink with a watering can. 'Don't plant me,' she joked to Charles, as they did the same with the second tree, which Camilla then tapped as a handshake. 'Always got to wish it luck,' she said. Before leaving, they were presented with the watering can and spade as gifts by Lord Grimpthorpe. 'Look at our going home presents,' she said to Charles, who appeared thrilled: 'I don't believe it, how terribly kind.' After their visit to the National Stud, Charles and Camilla travelled to the King Edward VII Memorial Hall on Newmarket High Street for a reception where crowds had gathered as they met members of local community groups, businesses and Mark Ashton, the chairman of Ipswich Town Football Club. Their final engagement of the morning saw the King and Queen visit the Jockey Club Rooms to meet staff and members of the Club, of which they are joint patrons. Accompanied by Baroness Dido Harding, chair and senior steward of the Jockey Club, British racing's largest commercial organisation and employer which runs 15 national racecourses including Aintree, Cheltenham and Epsom, and Jim Mullen, the chief executive, they viewed artefacts from Newmarket's National Horseracing Museum, of which Camilla is also patron. Charles and Camilla also learned about the launch of The Jockey Club Patrons Scholarship, which is to be delivered in partnership by The National Stud and the British Racing School. The new initiative will provide access to careers in racing to those from diverse ethnic communities, working with organisations such as The Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, London. Two students will be selected each year for the next three years from the diversity recruitment pathway and trained at The National Stud and the British Racing School. Baroness Harding said: 'It was a great honour to welcome The King and Queen to Newmarket today. Their Majesties became The Jockey Club's joint Patrons last year and it has been our privilege to introduce them to those working in and supporting our sport right in the heartland of British racing. 'As racehorse owners and breeders Their Majesties are already extremely knowledgeable about the industry and today provided an opportunity to celebrate its success and pay tribute to its extensive heritage, while also demonstrating the role The Jockey Club and our industry plays in the town of Newmarket and the local community. 'Looking to the future, the launch of The Jockey Club Patrons Scholarship provides a lasting legacy from today's visit and offers a fantastic opportunity to those from diverse ethnic backgrounds who may not otherwise have considered a career in the horseracing industry.' Anna Kerr, CEO of The National Stud, said: 'The National Stud was officially opened by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1967 and it is such a significant moment in our history to welcome Their Majesties here 58 years later. 'Our business activity is connected to all within the Thoroughbred industry – from breeders and trainers to third party providers and the industry's colleagues of the future, our students. 'It has been truly wonderful to celebrate that community with our Royal Patrons today and to see how Their Majesties share our own passion for a thriving Thoroughbred industry for generations to come.'
The Australian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Home-bred cheapie Romeo's Choice scores knockout victory in July Sprint at Rosehill
There's nothing flashy about Romeo's Choice, but his fighting qualities were on show for all to see when refusing to surrender in the July Sprint at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. At a time in Australian racing where horses purchased for $500,000 or more are a common occurrence every Saturday in Sydney, Romeo's Choice was conceived at Cangon Stud in Dungog from a $2200 service fee. 'He's not one of these million-dollar horses, he's just a home-bred in the back paddock with his owners and it's so wonderful for them and it shows these great racing stories can happen,' trainer Richard Litt said. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I'm just very happy for his owners and to get the job done is great. 'The owners are actually sending the mare to Perth to put her back in foal to his sire Choistar. 'Another little Romeo would be lovely.' The win was Romeo's Choice's seventh from 36 starts and his second from as many starts this preparation. 'He's come up great, he's a real gem,' Litt said. 'He just never gives up, a lovely honest horse. 'We had this race ear marked for him and it's worked out perfectly.' Romeo's Choice was put into a midfield position by Tom Sherry and when the leaders rolled away from the inside at the top of the straight, he snuck up the inside and set about chasing down the inform winter sensation Storm The Ramparts. The pair settled down to fight out the contest over the last 200m with Romeo's Choice getting the upper hand over the concluding stages. The win was Sherry's second for the day. 'He'll go on with this and I'm hoping he can keep improving because there some nice races coming up for him, maybe in Listed grade that he can be competitive in,' Litt said. • 'Put my neck on the line': Yoshinobu repays Archibald gamble 'There's a suitable Listed race coming up for him in Brisbane in a month and I think that's where he'd be best placed. 'He's a horse and he's just getting better with age.' Storm The Ramparts second placing for took his preparation haul to three wins and three runner-up finishes and post-race his rider Reece Jones was lamenting the defeat. 'He just ducked in on me,' he said. 'He's tough, going really well. It sucks to get beaten right on the line but you can't question his effort, if anything he might have been trying a bit hard.' Rounding out the placings in third was Godolphin's galloper Corniche which made a great start to the preparation but stable rep Darren Beadman is unsure who will take over the gelding's training when James Cummings finishes up at the end of the season. 'That was very good,' Beadman said. 'He's never run that well here at Rosehill before. 'He loomed to win but they just moved out under him, and it baulked him for a stride and then being first-up off such a long time, he just couldn't pick himself up quickly enough again. 'I'm not sure where he's going but the Missile (Stakes) looks perfect for him in two weeks.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Richard Litt's Romeo's Choice continues his winning streak with a gutsy performance to score at Rosehill
There's nothing flashy about Romeo's Choice, but his fighting qualities were on show for all to see when refusing to surrender in the Schweppes Open Sprint at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. At a time in Australian racing where horses purchased for $500,000 or more are a common occurrence every Saturday in Sydney, Romeo's Choice was conceived at Cangon Stud in Dungog from a $2200 service fee. 'He's not one of these million-dollar horses, he's just a home-bred in the back paddock with his owners and it's so wonderful for them and it shows these great racing stories can happen,' trainer Richard Litt said. 'I'm just very happy for his owners and to get the job done is great. 'The owners are actually sending the mare to Perth to put her back in foal to his sire Choistar. 'Another little Romeo would be lovely.' The win was Romeo's Choice's seventh from 36 starts and his second from as many starts this preparation. 'He's come up great, he's a real gem,' Litt said. 'He just never gives up, a lovely honest horse. 'We had this race ear marked for him and it's worked out perfectly.' Romeo's Choice was put into a midfield position by Tom Sherry and when the leaders rolled away from the inside at the top of the straight, he snuck up the inside and set about chasing down the inform winter sensation Storm The Ramparts. The pair settled down to fight out the contest over the last 200m with Romeo's Choice getting the upper hand over the concluding stages. The win was Sherry's second for the day. 'He'll go on with this and I'm hoping he can keep improving because there some nice races coming up for him, maybe in Listed grade that he can be competitive in,' Litt said. No tragedy here! Romeo’s Choice wins first-up, as class tells the tale. 🙌 @littracing @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 2, 2025 • 'Put my neck on the line': Yoshinobu repays Archibald gamble 'There's a suitable Listed race coming up for him in Brisbane in a month and I think that's where he'd be best placed. 'He's a horse and he's just getting better with age.' Storm The Ramparts second placing for took his preparation haul to three wins and three runner-up finishes and post-race his rider Reece Jones was lamenting the defeat. 'He just ducked in on me,' he said. 'He's tough, going really well. It sucks to get beaten right on the line but you can't question his effort, if anything he might have been trying a bit hard.' Rounding out the placings in third was Godolphin's galloper Corniche which made a great start to the preparation but stable rep Darren Beadman is unsure who will take over the gelding's training when James Cummings finishes up at the end of the season. 'That was very good,' Beadman said. 'He's never run that well here at Rosehill before. 'He loomed to win but they just moved out under him, and it baulked him for a stride and then being first-up off such a long time, he just couldn't pick himself up quickly enough again. 'I'm not sure where he's going but the Missile (Stakes) looks perfect for him in two weeks.'
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Program in Lake Forest provides therapy through connection between horses and humans
Horses and humans and the gentle bond between them. For a program in north suburban Lake Forest, the motto is "best days happen here." Equestrian Connection provides therapy services to people ranging in age from 2 to over 100. There's great care to match people to the horses who are changing their lives. Nelly has been coming to equestrian connections for around five years. She said her favorite horse, Apple Annie, is much more than a pretty face. "Apple Annie is like my soulmate. She really loves being around me, and I love being around her," Nelly said. "She knows what people think, feel, what they're going through." Several studies show what Nelly knows; that horses can help their human buddies feel calm and confident. "That movement of the horse is very regulating to the nervous system," said Equestrian Connection director of mental health programs Colette Collins, a clinical psychologist. Equestrian Connection provides programs for clients with a wide gamut of issues, including trauma, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, and more. "There is a growing body of research that shows that doing psychotherapy while your body is in movement, that the brain processes information differently," Collins said. With time, a horse and its rider are in synch, even in their breathing. Elle Eason rides horses and reads to them. Her mom, Lindsey, said Equestrian Connection is a safe space – a second home to Elle. Lindsey said the program has been lifechanging. "She's dyslexic. So we were having struggles with reading, and it kind of affected her confidence over time," she said. "Horses actually have this very calming and grounding presence, and that taught my daughter to take a step back, go slower, take a breath. And really, she began to believe in herself again." Equestrian Connection founder and executive director Diana Schnell said it began out of sheer determination 24 years ago. "I have a daughter, and four years later, we had twins. They're disabled," she said. "The doctors threw up their hands after three years of trying to get a diagnosis, and said 'Do everything you can.'" Another special needs mom told Schnell about the wonders of horse therapy. She knew what she had to do. "Called my husband, said, 'Can I quit my job and start this program?' and he said – probably later regretting it a few times, because it's been a tough road – 'sure,'" she said. "So we did. We opened it at a little barn down here. … Started with four horses and 15 kids." That little barn grew to 16 acres, with a 16,000-square-foot heated arena. There's also a pond, grazing area, and sensory garden. Since it began, Equestrian Connection has helped hundreds of thousands of clients, both kids and adults. "Since I was about 12 years old, I've loved to be with horses and ride horses," said client Deanne Basofin. "But then I found later, when I was about in my 50s, I found out that I have multiple sclerosis, which kind of left that off the table." Or so she thought. Then Basofin found Equestrian Connection. "It's like going back to … one of my things I love. Being able to do something that I love that I was not able to do before," she said. "I'm here to get stronger and work on balance and strength. … It's done tremendous things for me." Equestrian Connection holds annual fundraisers called Marty's Barn Parties, named for one of the program's original supporters. Past performers include Martina McBride and Kenny Loggins. All party proceeds go to services to help clients and keep projects going. After all, Schnell said doing good is the whole idea. "That's why we're here on the Earth, right? To help each other," she said. "Somebody's looking over us, and it's working." Equestrian Connection offers more than a dozen programs to enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being – including some for veterans. It gives out $150,000 in scholarships every year. The next Marty's Barn Party" is Sept. 27.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ruidoso Downs handler recounts saving horses' lives during historic flooding
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – The historic floods that swept through Ruidoso damaged hundreds of homes and businesses, including the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino. The sudden floods quickly endangered hundreds of horses located throughout the Downs, but brave employees stepped up to help. The floods on Tuesday brought in more than 20 feet of water, putting race horses that were in their stalls in danger. How to donate to Ruidoso flood victims KRQE News 13 spoke with handler Pedrio Zubiate, who said dozens of workers risked their lives to rescue the animals. 'There were areas where the water was up to my knees,' said Zubiate. He said he was working in his stalls Tuesday afternoon when workers received a flash flood warning on their phones. He said his boss told him and the other workers to grab their belongings and rush down to help the horses near the track.'You could see the river that crosses down here. Start to rise, and rise, and rise, and rise. Once it overflowed, we could see horses with water up to their knees. That's when we said, get everything out,' said Zubiate. Officials say hundreds of homes damaged in Ruidoso flooding Zubiate said he, along with other workers, didn't hesitate to wade into the water to rescue more than 100 horses. He said that although they were in fear of the rising water and the possibility of a frightened horse hurting them, they couldn't leave the animals to suffer. 'Basically, we wake up with them, we eat with them, sleep with them. The truth is, it's a strong love we have for these animals, and letting them die, it's not an option,' Zubiate said. When asked if it was worth risking their own lives for the animals, Zubiate said it was an easy decision. 'People think, 'they're just animals.' It's not like that. No, for us, they're family.' Ruidoso Downs said the floods destroyed jockeys' quarters, timing mechanisms, and other necessary equipment needed to operate horse racing, leading them to cancel the races at the Ruidoso Downs this season. 'Well, it's hard. To start to move everything again. We were already set up here, getting used to the climate and prepping our horses, and now we have to start over again.' In a press release, Ruidoso Downs said their infield got more than 10 feet of water at the height of the flash flooding, but said no race horses died during the floods. Ruidoso Downs also announced that this year's All American Futurity, Derby, and Oaks will be held at the Albuquerque Downs on Labor Day. They added they're 'confident there will be horse racing again at Ruidoso Downs in 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
