In October 2018 a lovely yearling colt arrived at the yard from Tattersalls Sales. A long term jumping prospect, he was broken in and then turned out to give him time to furnish his enormous frame.

Training started in earnest in 2020 and he was schooled and proved to be a very nice jumper. Owned by the Golden Equinox Partnership he was named ‘A Day In Donostia’ and a career over hurdles beckoned.

Making his racecourse debut in 2021, A Day In Donostia finished last at Market Rasen and followed up with a 6th placed run at Sedgefield. Later in 2021 he returned to the track and was pulled up twice, firstly at Musselburgh and then at Wetherby.

Retirement soon followed, he wasn’t going to make it as a winning racehorse, but he had so much more to give. His credentials meant that he was sure to be popular, as we get inundated with requests for big strong geldings. All enquiries are added to our waiting list until the right horse comes along, and given the current demand for horses off the track, new homes are very quickly secured.

Melissa contacted us looking for a big strong National Hunt horse and this chap fitted the bill. A new home was offered and A Day In Donostia was loaded and headed to Suffolk to start his new life.

Melissa renamed the five-year-old gelding ‘Danny’. His racing name was always going to be a bit of a mouthful! Danny's a great name, short and snappy, and it really does suit him.

“Danny has settled very well into his new home and family,” says Melissa. “He is a very intelligent horse who is just as happy hacking out alone or with his grey mare. We have been off piste hacking in the forest and have spent time together getting to know each other.”

“He’s enjoyed his time off in his paddock most afternoons. We had a slight setback due to an ear infection and he had a quiet time on box rest (no fault of his own). We are back out and about now and plan to see hounds in good time.”

“He’s beginning to trust us, he's a very willing and brave chap.”

"We have taken it slowly, as I don't bounce much now at my middle age!! He’s had a good 10 weeks holiday at grass plus supplementary hard food as it's been so dry in the east. We will have lots of fun times together in the future. I had 13 seasons with my ex-pointer until he got arthritis at the age of 23. He never had a lame day!!"

We wish Melissa and Danny many happy years together and of course will follow their adventures with much interest.