A previous winner of the Grand National will take to the parade ring at the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse later today as part of the annual Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Parade.
Pineau De Re, who triumphed at the Grand National in 2014, is one of 12 former racehorses who will parade for the public and highlight the versatility of the Thoroughbred ahead of today’s racing at the three-day festival.
Since retiring from the racetrack in 2016, Pineau De Re has excelled in eventing, hunting, team chasing, dressage, and showing. He was runner-up for RoR Horse of the Year in 2022 and served as a baton bearer for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Joining Pineau De Re in the parade is Master Wickham, who has won 13 national RoR championship titles in dressage, qualified for the Badminton Grassroots Championships and participated in numerous combined training, dressage to music, arena eventing, and showing competitions since his retirement in 2015. His transition to Grade A showjumper along with his adaptable nature earned him the 2025 RoR Horse of the Year title.
Cheltenham Festival winner in attendance
The 2014 Byrne Group Plate winner, Ballynagour, and some of Willie Mullins’ former horses, Kemboy, Melon, Duke of Navan, and Sharjah, will also feature in the parade.
“We are grateful to Aintree Racecourse and The Jockey Club for allowing us to present such a wonderful line-up of former racehorses at the Randox Grand National Festival,” said David Catlow, managing director of Retraining of Racehorses.
“The RoR Parade highlights the diverse career options available to former racehorses and the need for continued support, as outlined in the RoR Strategy 2024-2026.”
The full list of participants in the parade is:
- Ballynagour – ridden by Joe Stevenson
- Peveril Point – ridden by David Worthington
- Silver Knife – ridden by Ben Berry
- Dear Sire – ridden by Amiee Alexander
- Duke of Navan – ridden by Kelly Harding
- Kemboy – ridden by Rachel Sharp
- Kimberlite Candy – ridden by Hollie Cartwright
- Master Wickham – ridden by Claire Lewis
- Melon – ridden by Sophie Candy
- Pineau De Re – ridden by Lizzie Brunt
- Sharjah – ridden by Abbie Hawkins
- Top Wood – ridden by Jasean Spragatt
Inset image © Retraining of Racehorses.
Further reading
- Swap birch for padded hurdles in interest of racehorse welfare, say researchers
- New scheme will provide expert tuition to riders on former racehorses
- New mum rides to glory in SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse final at HOYS
- Riding on the gallops: expert advice to suit every type of horse
- Use this fitness plan to prepare your horse for the season ahead