Definitly Red really needs no introduction with a tremendous CV, winning the Many Clouds Chase twice, the Cotswold Chase, Charlie Hall Chase and the Grimthorpe, and his final win in Kelso’s Premier Chase in 2020, he won 15 times from 38 starts and finished sixth in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup for Brian Ellison when owned by Phil and Julie Martin.
Definitly Red was ridden and looked after at home by Ellison’s travelling head lad Andrew Robertson way back when he arrived at the stable in late 2014.
“Andy looked after him every day and did a brilliant job. They were a great partnership and Definitly Red enjoyed being around people – he would never go to kick or bite you,” said Ellison on Definitly Red’s retirement. “He’s going to a place up the road – only five minutes away – where Andy will look after him. He has a home there for life.”
Andy quickly states that ‘Red’ (as he is known) has been fairly easy to re-train and what a gentleman he is, but no doubt a lot of their development has to be because of the deep understanding he has of Red and Red of Andy, he mentions the way the horse carries himself and his love of a routine, especially his need to be going out first in the morning, key pieces of information like these and the strong bond they have developed together over the years has enabled them to relatively quickly progress as a team in Red’s new career.
Red himself ‘knows he is a good horse’ and their transition to show jumping is a work in progress, as Andy says he still goes at his fences a bit too enthusiastically- Red hasn’t quite yet figured out a set of show jumps don’t need attacking like the big Aintree fences! They have however had 5 clear rounds in a few outings so things are coming together.
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has recently announced an exciting new initiative to showcase the care given and opportunities open to former racehorses once their racing days come to an end, and Definitly Red has been chosen as the official equine ambassador of Aintree Racecourse.
We are very lucky to have re trained racehorses such as Definitly Red coming to Middleham Open Day so head over to the RoR show on Low moor to see them all competing in the 2 classes, it is wonderful to see these magnificent horses enjoying their new careers after racing with their passionate owners.
