31 August 2023 , 11:05
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An ageing ex-racehorse’s future has been secured thanks to an online appeal to find him a new home.
Since retiring from racing 27-year-old The Whistling Teal had been looked after by his owner-breeder Fiona Veasey and her husband Jeremy at their stud in Sussex.
But when the elderly couple moved into residential care and their home was put up for sale, the family struggled to find a home for their horse.
Desperate for help they turned to former Channel 4 Racing presenter Mike Cattermole who issued a plea on social media.
The Whistling Teal won nine of his 54 races, including the Group 3 St Simon Stakes and Ormonde Stakes, and was twice placed in the Irish St Leger in 2005 and 2006 when trained by the late Geoff Wragg. He retired with earnings of more than £300,000.
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Broadcaster and racecourse commentator Cattermole, co-anchor of Channel 4 Racing when the network held the terrestrial TV contract, said: “This is an example of social media doing some good.
“I was giving a talk to the members at Ascot races and after it broke up Serena Woodward, the Veaseys’ daughter, approached me and explained that Felicity is in a care home and Jeremy has moved in to be near her and they weren’t able to look after their stud and particularly The Whistling Teal.
“I stuck a tweet up asking if anybody could help this fabulous old racehorse, one of Geoff Wragg’s last good horses. The tweet was read about 130,000 times which I find extraordinary.”
He continued: “A few people got in touch but the most promising lead came from a girl who rode out at Fergal O’Brien’s whose friend Natalie was looking for a companion for her also 27-year-old cob called Domino.
The Whistling Teal has been found a new retirement home (PA)“We got in touch with Natalie King who lives on a small farm in Gloucestershire. She was put in touch with the Woodwards and sure enough The Whistling Teal is going along there some time this week.
“I know Jeremy was relieved and happy for him to be moved to his new home. I haven’t met Natalie yet but I will make a point of calling in to see him."