A neglected mare believed to be the cousin of champion racehorse Desert Orchid has made an “outstanding” recovery – after gaining 25 STONE.
Starving grey Cressida was discovered in horrendous conditions near Salisbury, Wilts., with three other horses in an “unhealthily thin” state.
The emaciated mare, along with her field mates, was taken to animal welfare charity HorseWorld in Bristol.
Staff at the centre were stunned when Cressida’s former owner informed them that her bloodline traces a relationship with Desert Orchid.
The champion won 34 races and had winnings of £650,000.
Cressida weighed just 445 kilos when she arrived at HorseWorld but put on 163 kilo – more than 25 stones – to become fighting fit and in full health.
Jerry Watkins, director of equine welfare at HorseWorld, said: “Her determined mindset may have come from her famous cousin and has helped her on the road to recovery.
“Without the charity it is not clear what would have happened to these animals. The owner of the horses has now been prosecuted with neglect.”
He added that the centre is seeking confirmation that Cressida is indeed related to Desert Orchid.
Cressida is now available to re-home as a companion horse. For more information call 01275 893023 or visit www.horseworld.org.
