Over £11,500 in prize money won by Gud Day, The People’s Horse, has today been donated to the Homing Ex-Racehorses Organisation Scheme (HEROS).

Horse Ambassador, Gloucester and former England rugby player, James Simpson-Daniel joined Gud Day and his trainer Fergal O’Brien to present a cheque for the sum of £11,801 to HEROS on behalf of the racing club.

The charity aims to use a proportion of the funds to purchase a fully equipped Kubota RTV, essential for routine monitoring, seasonal feeding and on-site transport for fund-raising events.

The People’s Horse project, run by Great British Racing, provides the opportunity to ‘try before you buy’ to people who might like to get involved in racehorse ownership. The club offers members the chance to go to the races as owners for the day and to get behind-the-scenes access to Gud Day at the stables. The club donates all prize money that Gud Day wins throughout the season to a charity of his supporters’ choice each year.

Highlights of Gud Day’s 2013 season include winning his first Novice Handicap Chase at Perth Racecourse in September and then finishing fourth in a Class 2 Novice Chase at Cheltenham in October.

Ambassador James was at Cilldara Stud, home to Fergal O’Brien and his team, to present the cheque on the horses’ behalf. A regular at the races when his rugby commitments permit, James and his fellow rugby friends have already enjoyed the thrill of racehorse ownership when their horse, Monbeg Dude, won the Welsh National in 2012.

Speaking from the stables, James Simpson-Daniel said: “It’s fantastic that The People’s Horse has won so much money this season, I’m really proud to be a part of such a worthwhile project. Not only does the racing club provide members of the public with a great opportunity to be involved in racing, it has helped raise vital funds for a very worthy racing charity in HEROS.”

Trainer of Gud Day, Fergal O’Brien, said: “Gud Day has been so consistent this season, he’s been a pleasure to train. It’s great to see so many people turn up to racecourses across the country to support him, he’s a real favourite. Even better, he’s been able to raise lots of money for HEROS which will no doubt be a real help to them and the work they do to find new homes for ex-racehorses.”

Grace Muir, founder of HEROS, said: “Without key supporters such as The People’s Horse our charity would struggle to help the high demand of horses which leave the racing industry each year, so for everyone who follows and continues to encourage HEROS hard work we cannot emphasise our thanks and admiration.”

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For more about HEROS, visit: www.heroscharity.org