LOYAL, affectionate and loveable is the way that Julie Barnes describes her former racehorse Fundy. Although he was pipped at the winning post in a new competition designed to promote the retraining of exracehorses, Mrs Barnes, who lives at Abbots Morton, near Evesham, says her thoroughbred is an ambassador for the under rated and misunderstood breed.

She is urging fellow horse lovers to give retired racehorses a chance.

She said: “Fundy was shortlisted for the Retraining of Racehorses Biggest Heart Award but sadly didn’t win because there were more than 400 nominations.

“To me, he is undemanding, utterly reliable and a wonderful friend.

“The competition highlighted British Horse Racing’s official charity for the welfare of horses which have retired from racing and all I can say is that horse lovers who shun former racehorses do not know what they are missing. I have owned two ex-racehorses and had good fun with them. They have now moved on to new homes.

“I would encourage anyone who is considering getting a horse to give a good home to a former racehorse.”

Retraining of Racehorses is a charity offering help to anyone wanting to give a home to a retired racehorse. It has its own website that gives addresses of re-trainers and people who sell former racehorses.

The site also gives invaluable advice on how to care for them and how to choose the perfect horse, as well as a list of competitions and shows acround the country.

Mrs Barnes’ love affair with Fundy began nearly a decade ago when at the age of 14 he was deemed to be on the racing scrap heap.

She said: “Although adored by his previous owner what do you do with a thoroughbred that has broken down three times?

“You tell your friend that he would make a nice horse for your wife and that’s how I ended up with him, along with strict instructions that he was suitable for light hacking only.”

Mrs Barnes says friends warned her not to buy a broken down horse, that there would be vets’ bills to pay and that he would always be lame. They all mistakenly thought former racehorses are completely mad.

Mrs Barnes is proud to have proved them all wrong. She has hunted Fundy, taken part in riding club, pony club and riding for disabled activities.

She said: “My daughter has ridden him at pony club and he lets anyone ride him. In fact he is the favourite at most events.”

Horse lover, journalist and novelist Jilly Cooper helped to judge the Retraining of Racehorses Biggest Heart Award.

She said: “I’m a huge supporter of retraining of racehorses.

“This competition was a great opportunity to hear some of the real life heart warming stories and to reward the obvious passion and commitment that owners have with their exracehorses.”

If you want to know more about the retraining of racehorses go to ror.org.uk.