It has been a very sad decision to make, however now is the right time for this loveable horse to enjoy a well deserved retirement at the age of 13. He retires in good health (and still full beans as always!) but we feel a few niggly issues is his body’s way of saying it’s now ready to enjoy something less strenuous.
Fruity O’Rooney has been a loyal servant to Heart of the South Racing for the last 8 years. He has won nearly £150,000 in prize money and taken his owners to some of biggest National Hunt fixtures in the racing calendar. Well known for his gutsy attitude and quirky character, he has proved to be extremely popular during his racing career – amongst his owners, at the yard of Cisswood Stables and also at the races.
Fruity O’Rooney has had a sensational racing career and we feel extremely lucky to have been involved with such a fantastic horse. He has always been admired for his brave front running performances, bold jumping and his willingness to dig deep and battle. Jamie Moore has ridden Fruity in a majority of his races and the pair really were the perfect match – both not afraid to dig deep and drive to line. It is so sad to think we won’t see the pair in unison once again.
Fruity may have never won one of the top National Hunt races but he had the heart of a lion! At only 15.2hh, he was pretty small for a steeplechaser but with springs in his heels and an attitude greater than his ability, he was a dream for owners.
The statistics below speak for themselves:
Started racing at the age of 5
55 races
9 wins
22 placed efforts
1 unseat (but still continued to jump in front for the entire 3 miles!)
2 pulled up (both this season)
3rd in the SkyBet Chase at Doncaster 2012 (despite a slipped saddle!)
2nd at the Cheltenham Festival 2012 (getting beat by just 1 length!)
5th in the Scottish Grand National 2012
7th in the Hennessy Gold Cup 2012
2nd in the Grade 3 Murphy Group Chase 2013
Almost £150,000 in prize money
Reaching a rating as high as 145
Winning a Lester with Jamie Moore for ride of the year in 2014
Having his own book written about him by one of his owners
Trending on Twitter after his 2015 Ascot win
Finished racing aged 13
Fruity O’Rooney has touched the hearts of many and it is extremely sad to be reaching the end of an era with him. However we are delighted to report that the horse has found the perfect home with his new owner Beccy Green. She plans to give Fruity the summer off before targeting some ROR competitions in the Autumn. We have every faith that they will be the most perfect pair and we wish Fruity the most happiest of retirements!
Thank you to all of the owners for being involved with such a special horse. We have received several lovely messages too, see a few and some photographs of Fruity O’Rooney’s superb career below!
All my life I wanted to have a 3 mile chaser, Even when I bounced around on small ponies as a child pretending I was winning the Grand National. To have shared with you all, the racing life of Fruity has been such a privilege. Fruity is an amazingly lucky chap . He had a great trainer in Gary, a rider in Jamie who is so like him in character and a great friend in Susie. I particularly wanted you to know that Heart of the South’s management of the partnership was totally outstanding and a huge credit to you and thanks for all the very hard work you put in to help us enjoy such a great racehorse.
Owner – Ann Tyrrell
We would like to thank all of you who have been involved with this horse:
The owners – some of you who have been on this journey with Fruity from the very beginning
Trainer Gary Moore & his team who have thoroughly looked after him and done a fantastic job
Jockey Jamie Moore for being the other half of this brilliant partnership (they’ve had 31 races together and finished in the frame 18 times!)
Suzy who looks after, rides and just generally adores Fruity. She has been a huge part of this horse over the last 2 years. As has the travelling head lad Andy
Philip Hide for advising us to buy Fruity and all the early work he did with him
Lin Stone for looking after the horse incredibly well during his holidays
and I’m sure there are many more others Fruity O’Rooney would love to thank!
- Our next runners – current entries
- Gary Moore – website
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