A former racehorse has been shortlisted for an award recognising its journey after retirement.
Cru Bourgeois, based in West Sussex with owner Alex Embiricos, is a finalist for the 2026 Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Partnership of the Year Award, supported by The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charity Trust.
The award celebrates the special bond between retired racehorses and their owners, and how the animals can positively impact people's lives beyond the racetrack.
Cru Bourgeois had a limited racing career but successfully retrained into endurance competitions, winning the National Foundation Championships at the Red Dragon in Wales in 2025.
Off the track he has helped Ms Embiricos through injuries related to her career as a jockey and the loss of her parents in 2025.
Ms Embiricos, a 57-year-old stud manager from Kirdford, said: "We have built each other’s confidence this year, and it was at the Red Dragon in Wales where I could feel him doing it for me."
She added: "It is a real privilege to be nominated, and I feel Cru deserves it because he has pretty much saved me this year.
"If we won the award, I would be so proud, and I hope I’ve made my mum and dad proud."
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Cru Bourgeois is one of three finalists, alongside Gemma Potts with Optimal Spirit from Durham and Lucinda Sims with Zarkandar from Hampshire.
Public voting is open until 5pm on Friday, January 9 at www.ror.org.uk/awards.
The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday, January 24, opened by RoR Patron, Zara Tindall.
