THUNDER, a much-loved school horse, has been announced as the winner of the Treo Eile Thoroughbred Working Horse award at an AIRE centre, celebrating his outstanding contribution following a successful second career after racing.

Purchased directly from his breeder, Thunder began his career with hopes of racing, entering training as a late three-year-old. While he proved too slow for the track, his story was far from over. Advertised for a new home in 2019 at the age of five, his calm nature and kind temperament were immediately evident - memorably captured in a photo of a young rider standing relaxed on his back, smiling.