Fado Des Bosses and amateur rider Jeanette Stayt claimed the SEIB Insurance Brokers Racehorse to Riding Horse title at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials on Sunday (6 September), securing their place in the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) final.
More than 20 former racehorses came forward for the 14th running of the prestigious class, which was held on the hallowed turf of the Defender Burghley main arena on the final day of the world-class three-day event. In a competitive field, only the winning combination earned the coveted HOYS qualification.
Jeanette, who has owned Fado for around two-and-a-half years, was delighted with the result.
“Every time Frado goes out he is like clockwork! He loves being in the ring and the attention that comes with it,” said Jeanette. “It’s made it even more special as my daughter Alex and granddaughter Jess have both flown from Scotland to groom for me today — now they’ll have to come back down again for HOYS!”
The class was judged by Lucy Killingbeck for conformation, with Michaela Bowling and Jill Wormall assessing the horses under saddle. The judges praised the competitors for their behaviour and commented on how much the horses appeared to enjoy the unique occasion and atmosphere of Burghley.
The victory capped a remarkable fortnight for Jeanette and Fado, who were crowned champion racehorse and champion hunter at Melplash Show the previous week. They also took reserve champion hunter at Moreton-in-Marsh Show the day before Burghley.
Fado, who was trained by Fergal O’Brien, had cost £280,000 at the Cheltenham Sales before going on to win three races, picking up £10,000 in prize money. Jeanette first spotted him when he came to stay with her boss, John King, whose horses are also in training with Fergal.
“I saw Fado trot across the field and decided I really wanted him. He was about to have his shoes back on and to be passed to a new owner. I did some hard bargaining — just don’t ask how — and managed to get him,” said Jeanette.
The pair have taken their time in making the transition from racing to showing. Jeanette showed Fado in-hand throughout the 2024 season and attended several clinics before making their first major outing under saddle at the Area 7 Show at Aston-le-Walls in 2025.
”I managed to miss the novice class as Aston-le-Walls and so he had to go straight in and won the open Tattersalls class and went reserve champion! We’ve had to work hard on his canter and building him up,” Jeanette explained.
Fado’s former connections have continued to follow his progress. Fergal and John watched him at Moreton-in-Marsh, where Jeanette even managed to secure groom’s tickets for them.
Jeanette works as a lorry driver for John’s cattle business, PJ King & Son, in Gloucestershire. She has also previously competed in SEIB Search for a Star, qualifying for the HOYS final with another former racehorse, Chief Executive.
SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse organiser Nicolina MacKenzie said the organisation was delighted to return to Burghley Horse Trials.
“We are delighted to have been back at Defender Burghley again,” she said. “It is such a privilege for these fabulous thoroughbreds and their riders to compete at this fantastic event with its unrivalled atmosphere and we are very grateful to the Defender Burghley team for allowing riders this opportunity.”
Images by 1st Class Images and Jeanette Stayt
Related content
- 15 years later: Kiwi rider returns to Burghley with ex-racehorse and Melman the giraffe mascot
- Flat vs National Hunt racehorses: how different are they when it comes to retraining?
- Is an ex-racehorse the right choice for you? We investigate…
- Thinking about buying an ex-racehorse? Here’s what you need to know abut where you can purchase one
