Shropshire rider's pride over Punjabi's Cheltenham Festival parade

When former Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi led the parade at the Cheltenham Festival it was a moment of pride and poignancy for his Shropshire rider.

Published Mar 16, 2016

Rachael Kempster, from the Kinsale Stud, Whittington, asked to look after the horse after he had to retire through injury

— in memory of her best friend.

For the 41-year-old had travelled the country to watch the gelding with Julia Tooth, the daughter of Punjabi's owner.

Julia died after a battle with cancer at the age of 41 in 2010.

"He gave us both such wonderful times and gave me so many happy memories I wanted to ensure he had a happy retirement," Miss Kempster said.

However, rather than become what she labelled a "field ornament", Punjabi is now learning the skills needed for a dressage horse.

"We are both learning something new and he has taken to it so well," Miss Kempster said.

Punjabi led the Retraining of Racehorses' parade during Champion Day of the festival.

Punjabi is now based at Hardwick Hall, near Ellesmere, which is run by Ali Kynaston-Mainwaring.

"I would never have dreamt that I would ever ride at Cheltenham – and to be on a former champion hurdler at the head of a parade was unbelievable," Miss Kempster said.