A HORSE fan has set up a charity to support retired race horses after adopting an abandoned sale lot.

Amanda Barker Rawson, from Pockley, has been caring for Lot 33 after the horse was left at a sale near York at the end of last month, after his bidder failed to buy and his owner no longer wanted him.

She said: “I got a call from the auctioneers and went along not really knowing what to expect. The whinny, as I walked into the auction mart, was haunting. I knew then he would be going know where ever again. Lot 33 was coming home.”

Amanda said Lot 33, who has been named Jack, was a thoroughbred and originally from Ireland. “He has effectively been a schoolmaster to get riders going and then sold on,” she said.

“When he came to me he was very thin, but has been fed up and is looking so much better.”

Amanda said she had received a lot of support from local people and companies including BATA, Robinsons and Weatherbeeta.

“His teeth need attention and dentist Chris Napthine gave him a free checkover,” she said.

“He also had dermatitis on his legs and around fetlocks, as well as sarcoids over his left eye.

“Although I haven’t started riding him yet, I am starting to retrain him and will take him round the shows and parades when he is well enough to show that there is life after racing.

“These horses are bred to race, but they shouldn’t be abandoned when that life is over and Jack is evidence of that.”

Amanda said she was going to research Jack’s history and write a book about his life to raise funds for his future care and for other retired racehorses.

“I know he would have been an expensive horse and is racing name was The Manager,” she said.

“He is nine years old and spent time around here before being sold to someone in the south, so it will be interesting to find out the circumstances that led him back up here.

“Jack is such a soft and lovely horse and I certainly won’t be parting with him. I now want to do something positive so that the many other racehorses have the retirement they deserve and don’t fall into the wrong hands.”

Anyone who would like to support Amanda should go to gofundme.com/lot-33