Minella Choice last raced professionally in June 2024, under the care of Ian Williams. At eight years old, he was retired from racing, after a career as an elite equestrian athlete where he attained an official rating of over 100.

Like many exceptionally well bred thoroughbreds, it was widely noted that he had a lot more to give to equestrian sport and leisure.

Kate Justice is a seasoned amateur event rider, having qualified for the Badminton Grass Routes twice on her home raised warmblood. Looking for some speed and agility and wanting to capitalise on the seasoned attitude to high level competition that ex racers have, Kate approached Ian for a suitable horse and the match was made.

Since arriving at Kate’s home in Gloucestershire, Minella Choice has become ensconced in the herd of horses and ponies, been hacked out by all the family in the nearby countryside, ridden bareback by the toddlers of the family and met the pet pigs and chickens. He’s recently started a rehab programme, to begin dressage and has been introduced to a course of show jumps, showing immense promise.

His current forte, however has been discovered as a field leader in trail hunting. Minella Choice’s remarkably laid back attitude- probably from his years of exposure to race course atmospheres- and impeccable athleticism has proved to mark him as an enviable member of the field.

Kate has decided to keep his milage low and his physio appointments high as he’s already showing huge promise and presence as a possible Eventer, so you may not see him out hunting too often… But here are a few pictures of his debut at Opening Meet with the Ross Harriers – a hunt that takes its trails seriously and welcomes everyone, especially those equine heroes that have entertained us so well on the racecourse and still have so much to give.

THANK YOU MINELLA CHOICE AND EVERYONE AT IAN WILLIAMS RACING!