Mick & David Easterby: Racing Syndicates and Racehorse Ownership





Simmy settling in at Al Trekka
Credit: Gypsy Liddelow
Credit: Gypsy Liddelow

Simmy settling in with new friends at Al Trekka



Simmy settling in with new friends at Al Trekka


Posted: 16.15 • 10 Nov 24 • News


We always strive to do our very best for our retired racehorses.

Whether they be multiple winners or horses that don't make the track they all count.

They all deserve a home when their training and racing days are over.

Simmy's Footprints is a two-year-old gelding by Advertise and after sustaining a fetlock injury his training was halted as he wasn't going to stand up to the rigours of being a racehorse.

Wherever the alpacas go Simmy follows.
Credit: Gypsy Liddelow
Credit: Gypsy Liddelow


Simmy was owned by Tomlinson Racing and Andy Tomlinson, managing director of Tomlinson Racing, was adamant that Simmy be found a good home. Tomlinson Racing find homes for all of their ex-racehorses and Simmy was offered a home with Danielle at Al Trekka at Baildon.

The move didn't initially go to plan. Simmy was collected by a transporter and got a little upset in the horsebox. He lodged for a night at a farm near Tadcaster en route and we stepped in and collected him the next day to make the rest of his journey to Baildon!
Simmy has acres of space in which to enjoy his retirement.
Credit: Gypsy Liddelow
Credit: Gypsy Liddelow


Arriving on the Monday morning Simmy became an instant hit with his unusual new friends and he'll now live a herd of alpacas!

"He's such a beautiful soul," says Danielle. "He's settled in so well. He was scared to death of them to start with and now he goes wherever they go".

Simmy has now become very firm friends with the herd and loves being out with them in the fields. So much so that he doesn't want to come in when it's time on an evening!

It may seem a strange tale but it's not unusual for racehorses to bond with other species.

Here at New House Farm we had Thirteen Shivers who was best friends with one of the pigeons, whilst La Jolie Fille loved to share her stable with one of the farm cats. Further afield, who could forget Remittance Man and Nobby the Sheep or Strong Impact and Charlie the pig? There's a good article here in the Racing Post which tells the tales.

Thirteen Shivers and his pigeon and La Jolie Fille's pet cat.


Simmy is now getting regular visits from his old pals. Today Gypsy went to catch up with him and his new friends, and Andy Tomlinson is also booked in on an alpaca trek!

Danielle and the good people at Al Trekka are genuine animal lovers and also provide a home to many other rescued animals whose upkeep is helped by the proceeds from the treks. Trekking with the alpacas is enormous fun and if you'd like to join an alpaca trek and meet Simmy then contact Danielle at Al Trekka and she'll make sure you have a day to remember!
Simmy's Footprints on the gallops with Joanna earlier this year.






Related content
link Al Trekka alpaca trekking
chess_knight Simmys Footprints