4-timer Cheltenham Competition runner-up Melon thriving in life after racing

4-time Cheltenham Competition runner-up Melon is relishing life after racing, settling into his new job “splendidly”.

The ten-year-old, skilled by Willie Mullins, loved a number of graded victories and was a constant performer for homeowners Joe and Marie Donnelly in his racing profession.

He bowed out this summer time similtaneously Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning stablemate Al Boum Photograph, to hitch Sophie Sweet and Joe Stevenson’s yard.

“He’s completely good. He’s the loveliest horse at house to do, which is a novelty for us as we’re recognized for tough horses,” Sophie instructed H&H, with amusing.

“He did his first group chase within the novice on the Belvoir, then stepped as much as the intermediate on the Berkeley and received by about eight seconds, so he has taken to it very, very properly.”

Joe Stevenson and Melon.

He joined the pair on the finish of June and any plans for Melon’s life now will probably be led by him.

“He settled in fantastically and he’s the simplest horse we’ve got ever had. He’s clearly had an excellent basis in life,” stated Sophie, who rides him at house whereas Joe companions him as a part of Staff Rideaway in group chases.

The Medicean son, bred by Newsells Park Stud, loved six wins from his 33 begins underneath Guidelines, ending within the body on 12 different events.

“It’s quite a bit for a horse to come back out of a yard of the type he’s used to, to 1 the place there are solely six in,” Sophie added.

“He has grow to be brisker the extra group chasing he has performed, however on the gallops he’s a complete professional and is aware of precisely what he’s doing. Ours at all times have just a few days off after group chasing on the weekends, and the previous couple of Wednesdays and Thursdays he’s put in a few squeals and bucks! He’s undoubtedly having fun with himself.

“He’s a stupendous, huge horse and I do perhaps fancy having a go at some Retraining of Racehorses dressage and exhibiting and parades with him, maybe a little bit of looking as a result of he’s such a gentleman. We’ll see the place he needs to take us.”

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