Sugar Rush named Horse of the Year at RoR Awards

Daisy Adamson and her horse Sugar Rush were awarded the My Pension Expert-sponsored Horse of the Year at the 2026 Retraining of Racehorses Awards in Cheltenham. Sugar Rush, nicknamed Marley, never raced and has competed in dressage, showjumping and eventing since joining Adamson.

Daisy Adamson and her horse Sugar Rush were presented with the My Pension Expert-sponsored Horse of the Year prize at the 2026 Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Awards in Cheltenham, held before Trials day. Sugar Rush is 14 and never raced; he was taken out of training by Michael Bell and later joined Essex-based Adamson. Since joining her he has competed in dressage, showjumping and eventing. The awards included other recognitions that highlighted the role of retrained racehorses in people’s lives. Key details: - Daisy Adamson and Sugar Rush won the My Pension Expert-sponsored Horse of the Year prize at the 2026 RoR Awards in Cheltenham. - Sugar Rush, nicknamed Marley, is 14, never raced, was taken out of training by Michael Bell and has gone on to compete in multiple equestrian disciplines. - The winners were chosen ahead of finalists Back To Buxted and Polly Foster, with Skeaping and Claire Howie also mentioned at the ceremony. - Optimal Spirit (nicknamed Charlie), a 19-year-old who raced three times, and Gemma Potts won the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust RoR Partnership prize; Potts remains paralysed from the neck down after a 2021 fall and the pair were noted for their close bond. - RoR chief David Thorpe paid tribute to the late Fi Carlin, and a RoR Volunteer Recognition Award in her memory will be staged at next year’s awards. Summary: The RoR awards recognised retrained racehorses and their connections, highlighting both competitive success and the emotional support horses can provide. The organisation will introduce a Volunteer Recognition Award in memory of Fi Carlin at next year’s ceremony, and other follow-up plans were not detailed, leaving further developments undetermined at this time.