A RACEHORSE which was trained in Appleby before its 2011 retirement has been named 'Horse of the Year' at a ceremony at the prestigious Jockey Club.

Thirteen-year-old Whatcanyasay took the top gong at the inaugural 'Retraining of Racehorses' (RoR) awards night for 'excelling' in sports and competitions since retiring at the age of 10.

"I didn't want to get my hopes up when I found out he'd been nominated or shortlisted," explained owner, Robyn Gray, of Clifton, near Penrith.

"But I'm not surprised he won as he deserves the recognition because he's such a fantastic horse."

Robyn, who refers to the horse affectionately as 'Doofer', said she has known him since he was two years old when she used to muck out his stables in Appleby, where he worked with legendary trainer, Evelyn Slack.

While in training with Mrs Slack, he ran 46 times over hurdles and fences, winning on four occasions.

When he retired at the age of 10 Robyn and her family jumped at the chance to buy him and Robyn, 23, has since entered him in dozens of competitions across a range of disciplines including eventing, cross country, hunting, dressage and showing.

In his first season after retirement he won several championships and in 2013 finished sixth at the high-profile Horse of the Year Show, behind the Queen’s horse, Barber Shop.

He has also come in second several times - and his forte is in showing, according to Robyn.

"It's been a really successful few years," continued Robyn.

"We have thrown a lot at him. I've been saying: 'I want to try this and I want to try that' and we've not stuck to one thing.

"Everything we've pushed at him he tries his heart out and he's just an all-rounder really."

The RoR Horse of the Year gong was announced at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket by presenters Clare Balding and Willie Carson.

Robyn won a trophy and VIP tickets to the opening day of the 2015 Cheltenham Festival .

Chief executive of the RoR, Di Arbuthnot said: "RoR chose to recognise Whatcanyasay because he has achieved so much since he retired from racing, taking part in RoR series of competitions to great success and retraining in such a diverse range of equestrian sports."