Gold Cup winner Native River made his first public appearance since retirement by chauffeuring a rider to her school prom.
In front of a big crowd, the fans' favourite took 16-year-old Zara Cox to the important event in Taunton. While other pupils chose to come along in posh cars, the teenager and the chasing great stole the show at the Oake Manor Golf Club.
Zara's friends, parents and teachers clapped as the 2018 winner of the Cheltenham Festival's feature race approached the red carpet. Native River pricked his ears and stood calmly while photographers snapped the once-in-a-lifetime moment. Tom Malone, who is looking after the 12-year-old in his retirement, said it was only possible because he is a lot calmer than other thoroughbreds.
Dubbing him "the most gentle racehorse of all time," the bloodstock agent added via the Racing Post: "He knows he's a superstar because when she got on in this big, long, black dress, I was thinking 'oh mother Christ'. If it blew in the wind a normal racehorse would be gone!"
Horse and rider made the short journey to the prom, going past numerous cars, people and tractors on the busy evening. Only retired last December, Native River took in all the sights in front of a large group of onlookers.
"It was the most surreal thing I've seen in a long time," Malone said. "It was like he was standing in the winner's enclosure at Cheltenham. It was something to behold and I had a lump in my throat watching it."
As well as adding his name to the Gold Cup roll of honour, Native River was third in the 2017 renewal. He finished fourth behind Al Boum Photo in 2019 and obtained the same position two years later.
That was the 14-time winner's final appearance in National Hunt racing's flagship contest and connections called it a day at the end of 2021. Native River was pulled up in the Coral Welsh Grand National, a race he landed in 2016 with top weight when his career was taking off.
"He has been such a grand servant and we decided enough is enough," owner Garth Broom said at the time. "It is the first time in about 25 races that he has been out of the first four, I think. We have been very lucky to have him."
In 32 outings, all but one of them over jumps, the chestnut carried the Brocade Racing colours. The partnership is run by Broom and his wife Anne, friends of the Cox family who were at the latest big occasion.
Over the years, Native River also added a Hennessy Gold Cup and three Denman Chases to his impressive record. His trainer Colin Tizzard has since handed over the licence at the Dorset stables to his son Joe.
