Nominations now open for The Jockey Club RoR Awards 2026
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is delighted to announce that nominations are now officially open for the 2026 RoR Awards, which feature The Jockey Club as headline supporter - a fitting partnership. The Awards will include the RoR Horse of the Year Award and a new Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Partnership of the Year Award.
The 2026 RoR Awards will take place on Cheltenham Festival Trials Day, 24 January 2026, providing a unique opportunity to combine a celebration of the adaptability and versatility of Thoroughbreds in their second careers with the excitement of top-class racing. Alongside the two headline awards, the event will also feature the presentation of the RoR Elite Series champions across seven equestrian disciplines.
The RoR Horse of the Year Award recognises exceptional former racehorses who have successfully transitioned into new careers, while the new Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Partnership of the Year Award celebrates the special bond between a former racehorse and their owner or rider; for this award, competitive achievements aren’t required; it’s all about the connection, not the rosettes.
RoR Managing Director, David Catlow, shared his excitement for the 2026 event, saying: “We are thrilled to return the RoR Awards to Cheltenham Festival Trials Day with The Jockey Club as headline supporter, and we thank them for their continued support. Last year’s event demonstrated what a prestigious platform Cheltenham provides, enabling us to highlight the incredible achievements of former racehorses in their second careers.”
Nadia Powell, Racecourse and Industry Relations Director, at The Jockey Club said: “We are proud to come on board as headline supporter of the 2026 RoR Awards. Cheltenham Racecourse provides the perfect backdrop to celebrate the remarkable second careers of former racehorses and the positive impact they have on so many, while also enjoying the excitement of top-class racing.”
On behalf of the trustees of The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, Nigel Payne commented: “As we enter the third year supporting the RoR Awards, we are confident that Sir Peter would have cherished the ongoing connection between his charitable trust and RoR. The new Partnership of the Year Award reflects its broader reach, celebrating not only the remarkable efforts to provide new opportunities for horses after racing, but also the many ways former racehorses can enrich people’s lives and the unique bonds formed between horse and human.”
The 2026 RoR Awards promise to feature inspiring and heartwarming stories that celebrate the versatility and adaptability of Thoroughbreds as they flourish in their post-racing lives.
Nominations for both awards are now open and will close at 5pm on 7 November 2025. For further information and to submit a nomination, please visit The Jockey Club RoR Awards.
Notes for editors
For more information, please contact Toni Levey, Marketing and Communications Executive on [email protected]
About Retraining of Racehorses
Established in 2000, Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all former racehorses through various preventative measures, including:
- Setting industry standards for retraining former racehorses.
- Providing training and education to owners to build lifelong partnerships with their retired racehorses.
- Promoting the versatility of these horses in various equestrian activities and facilitating their participation in competitions.
- Maintaining a robust tracking system for former racehorses through RoR membership.
RoR also extends support to former racehorses in times of need through its welfare work.
Find out more about our work, please visit www.ror.org.uk
About The Jockey Club
Founded in 1750 The Jockey Club is today the largest employer and commercial organisation in British horseracing and one of the leading sports businesses operating in the UK.
The Jockey Club is governed by Royal Charter, ensuring all profits are reinvested back into racing, which is Britain’s second biggest spectator sport.
The Jockey Club runs 15 of the UK’s racecourses and some of the nation’s biggest events, including the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree, The Cheltenham Festival, The Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs and the Betfred Guineas Festival at Newmarket.
Thousands of racehorses also use The Jockey Club’s training centres in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom every year, while the organisation also runs The National Stud in Newmarket and the charity, Racing Welfare, which makes help available to everyone in racing.
The Jockey Club’s joint Patrons are His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen.
More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.