The former racehorse Dark Hedges was crowned the 2024 RoR Elite Polo Champion in a ceremony at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday, 25 January 2025 as part of the Retraining of Racehorses Annual Awards. RoR members, other winners, and those from the racing and equestrian industries were present to congratulate the horses who have found success in alternative careers after racing, with other winners in categories such as dressage, showing, endurance, eventing, and more – celebrating the unrivalled versatility of the Thoroughbred.
Dark Hedges is a 10-year-old mare by Zebedee out of Bella Chica, bred by the legendary Gordon Thom at New Hall Stud in Ayr, Scotland. She raced 12 times under rules for Lincolnshire-based Olly Williams before finding a new career in polo with Ed Morris. She joined England’s Matt Perry in 2024 and was crowned Best Playing RoR in the Coronation Cup against Argentina.
Ed Morris, who won the Buckmaster with Young England in 2024 and runs Dart Polo Club and Dart Bloodstock, says: “I bought her off the track as a 3-year-old. I was only 14, and at the time I didn’t even know when a horse was on the right lead! She was the first horse that Dart Bloodstock owned and trained; I played her from -4 to 10 goals and it was clear to me she had a lot of talent. In 2022 we bred from her by embryo transfer to Dolfina Cuarteto de Nos, and in 2023 she won the 6-8 category in the Lycetts Polo Pony Championship.”
‘Poppita’, as she’s known at home, joined Matt Perry’s string in July 2024, when he purchased her after a short trial. Together the pair played in the Gold Cup, Coronation Cup, and the Prince of Wales before she was turned out to enjoy her winter break. This is the fourth time Matt has picked up this award, as a long-term fan of former racehorses in his stable.
Matt Perry said: “I played Poppita for about two months before she went out in the field for a rest, and she just got better and better as she got used to playing that level of polo. Hopefully this year she will be one of my main mares, playing for White Crane in the Queen’s Cup and the Gold Cup. She’s an amazing mare; she’s got a super head on her and she’s unbelievably agile. She’s not so much of a big powerhouse but she’s super handy.”
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) are regular supporters of polo, and you’ll spot them at several events this summer to award prizes to the Best Playing RoR in high profile matches such as the Gold Cup, Coronation Cup, Queen’s Cup, and low-goal events including the final of the 4-Goal Super League. Find out more about the RoR’s involvement in polo here.
