A riding instructor and her retired racehorse have been shortlisted for a national award.
Lucinda Sims, 65, from Penton Mewsey, and her 19-year-old horse Zarkandar, known as Gino, are finalists for the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charity Trust RoR Partnership of the Year Award.
The award, part of the 2026 The Jockey Club RoR Awards, celebrates the special bond between former racehorses and their owners or riders.
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Lucinda said: "It is a privilege to be listed as a finalist for the RoR Awards, and I feel very lucky to have Gino.
"He gets me out of bed in the morning, so I don’t feel sorry for myself and get to enjoy my special horse.
"Life is for living, and we must live it."
Zarkandar was gifted to Lucinda by trainer Paul Nicholls a week after his final race in 2018.
The horse, a half-brother to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava, won nine of his 32 starts and earned £911,734 during his racing career.
He has since adapted to a new life out of competition, despite being diagnosed with equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTR), a condition that led to the removal of his incisors and now causes his tongue to hang out.
Zarkandar has also helped Lucinda through major life challenges, including the loss of her husband and two battles with breast cancer.
She has since raised more than £5,000 for the NHS in gratitude for the care she received.
RoR managing director David Catlow said: "We’re thrilled to open public voting for these prestigious awards.
"With so many remarkable nominations, choosing the finalists was no easy task for our judges.
"Each story highlights not only the incredible versatility of former racehorses in their new careers but also the strong, inspiring bonds they form with their owners."
RoR patron Zara Tindall will open the awards ceremony.
She said: "It is always a pleasure to celebrate the extraordinary journeys of former racehorses.
"The Retraining of Racehorses Awards not only recognise their achievements but also highlight the vital role of responsible aftercare."
Public voting is open until 5pm on Friday, January 9 at ror.org.uk/awards.
The winner will be announced at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday, January 24.
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