Laura Renwick made a winning return to the Horse of the Year Show as international action took centre-stage on day three at Birmingham’s NEC.
The Essex star’s first HOYS appearance for 13 years could not have started in more impressive fashion as she landed The evoke Stakes with 11-year-old chestnut stallion Cottee.
The one-round speed class saw them post a time of 52.16 seconds that only last-to-go Charlotte Ash and Irma-Riende seriously threatened.
Charlotte finished on 52.96 seconds, with third place going to Irish challenger Anthony Condon and LMD Marko, almost one second further adrift.
“It’s great to get a win anywhere, but I think it is very special in that arena. I have missed doing the lap of honour here!” Laura said.
“I have won quite a lot of classes here over the years. You never tire of that feeling, to do it in front of your home crowd, and to get a win is the icing on the cake.”
Laura suffered a fractured pelvis and femur in a fall three years ago, but she has enjoyed prolific success in 2025 through an enviable string of young horses.
“He (Cottee) is another home-bred of ours,” she added. “He has always been a winner and incredibly competitive, but I haven’t done a great deal indoors with him.
“I think it was about only the third time he has ever jumped indoors, and you could see the first few jumps he was a little bit like ‘wow, there is a crowd, there is so much going on,’ but he is careful and competitive, and I am over the moon with him.
“I am sure people know I had quite a bad accident, so it has just been getting going, building up again and trying to get back where I was. I have got a lovely string of young horses coming through, and hopefully I will still be here in a few years’ time.”
Friday’s action got underway with the Grandstand Welcome Stakes, a two-phase competition that went to Chris Smith and Messarado Blue.
Chris, who is based near Manchester, secured a HOYS place via the International Wildcard qualifier, and he relished his opportunity to make an impression.
A total of 30 combinations ensured it was a busy start to the international schedule, with Chris and the 10-year-old bay mare delivering a dominant display.
Their jump-off time of 31.26 seconds left daylight between them and the rest of the field, with runner-up Laura Renwick 1.5 seconds behind on If Evers Girl and Adrian Whiteway taking third aboard Lana Del Rey.
“It’s a great experience going in that arena, and we bred the mare, so to win a class on a home-bred is great,” Chris said.
“She is naturally quick – she won the Speed Horse of the Year national qualifier – and she is better upping her pace, so I knew if I could be tight everywhere she is always there or thereabouts.
“As a kid, you grew up watching your idols at HOYS, and to be here competing and children looking up at you it’s great to be a bit of a role model and set a good example.”
ENDS
For more information on Horse of the Year Show 2025, please contact
Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd.
Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk
Image credit: 1st Class Images.
