A different pace of life

Many racehorses go on to have fruitful second careers once they retire from the track, but the transition isn't without challenges, as Alex Robinson discovers

- Alex Robinson

WHEN Dorset-based event and dressage rider Ben Liles was sent the thoroughbred Finch Fancy (Frenchie) for a two-week schooling stint, he didn’t want to send her home. The mare had been lightly raced on the Flat by Harriet Brown and had been sent to Ben to improve her confidence over fences ahead of her hurdle debut.

“The first time I jumped her, I thought, ‘Bl***y hell, this has some pop,’” recalls Ben. “I mentioned to Harriet that should she ever want to move her out of racing, then she was to give me a shout. Two weeks later, she took me up on that offer.”

This was at the back end of 2018 and Ben has since produced the Arvico daughter, whom he now co-owns with Charlie Ainsworth, up the eventing levels. In July, she stepped up to her first four star after several consistent three-star performances.

“She’s sharp and not everyone’s cup of tea to ride, but she’s so gutsy,” Ben says. “Cross-country is where she shines. She can chip in a short one, take a long one and she’ll jump off any stride. It’s such a nice feeling to be sitting on something so keen.”

Arguably typically of the breed, Frenchie’s keenness and her status as a “goer” sometimes has a negative impact on her dressage.

“It’s not her strongest phase, but she’s improving each time out,” says Ben. “She’s always in the middle of the pack after her test, but she flies up the scoreboard after the cross-country; she’s always inside the time. During the showjumping, she always comes out fresh, too. She’s so tidy and careful with it, no matter how hard she’s run the previous day.”