Groom wins award for retraining racehorse

A groom has received an award for the successful retraining of former racehorse Purple Moon, who won more than £1m during his career.

Showing success

Chantal Wootten won the inaugural Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Special Recognition award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards (23 February).

Purple Moon competed in the world’s most famous races during his career with Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani. He wonthe prestigious Ebor handicap at York and came second in the Melbourne Cup, the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Hong Kong Vase.

The 12-year-old retired to Luca’s Fittocks Stud in 2011, where Chantal works.

RoR champion

“He caught my eye – I come from a showing backround and thought I might be able to take him to a show and see how we got on,” said Chantal.

Through Chantal’s hard work and dedication, Purple Moon has enjoyed as much success as a show horse as he did during his racing career. The pair’s highlight was winning the RoR/Tattersalls Show Series Championship at Hickstead in 2014. They also won at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2013 and have qualified for Horse of the Year Show the last two years.

Special relationship

“It’s probably the most special relationship I’ve ever had with a horse,” says Chantal. “He’s unreal. He can be difficult, but I think that’s down to what a high caliber horse he is. To have been as successful as him, they have to have something about them, but if you can channel that and train them in the right way then it’s all great.”

The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards were started in 2005 by the British Horseracing Authority to celebrate those working in racing.