Andrew Crook Racing: Equine Heroes!

On this page we acknowledge our retired equine heroes - racehorses that served the yard and their owners so well during their racing careers. Corporal Clinger and Ryalux remain in the yard and enjoy a relaxed retirement keeping an eye on today's inhabitants who strive for the success they achieved.

CORPORAL CLINGER 1979 ch g sire: Bruni dam: Penny Candy A true legend from horseracing's past. He passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday January 22nd 2012, aged 33. "At ease, Corporal." form:
CUTE N YOU KNOW IT 2003 b m sire: Tamure (IRE) dam: Clodaigh Grace Retired to stud, hopefully will become a mother in 2012 form:
RYALUX 1993 b g sire: Riverhead (USA) dam: Kings De Lema (IRE) Our Scottish Grand National hero is still a firm favourite with visitors to the yard. form:
SYLVAN OAK 2003 b g sire: Presenting dam: Nature Wood owner: Mr Richard Berry His career was blighted by arthritis which forced his retirement form:
TROOPER 1994 b g sire: Rock Hopper dam: Silica (USA) See the comments below from Emma form:

Hello, I just thought after looking round your website that I'd update you on another of your past horses, the very unique Trooper. After four years of pointing Troops we retired him as his legs were beginning to bother him again, during that time he was placed on numerous occasions and managed to keep his head in front once. He only actually threw one race away with his antics but we suspect he had the ability to win a few more had he felt inclined! He was bought through Andy Brook as a schoolmaster for me when I decided to have a go at pointing and he did the job beautifully. I will always be grateful for Andy's honesty when I spoke to him those years ago, he said he was a grand horse with a brain and that is exactly what he is. I've attached a couple of photos of him, one from a ladies race at Dingley where he always ran well. The other is from Thorpe Hunt Challenge last season where he gave my 16 year old daughter a taste of racing. I could promise her that no matter how she felt in front of a fence that Trooper would take care of her and I wasn't disappointed. He gave me some memorable spins round rules courses too, an experience I will always treasure. OK so he didn't try particularly hard, by then I think he'd realised I was a bit of a soft touch where he was concerned but he looked after me and always came back with his ears pricked. Tony is forever reminding me how he jogged back to the stables at Cheltenham after the four miler whilst I staggered back to the changing room with the saddle and reaching for the oxygen! I know you have had and will continue to have some bigger winning horses than Trooper but I wanted you to know how much this daft bay lump means to me and how much fun he's given us over the last 6 years. I hope he'll continue to do so for a long while yet. Perhaps if some of your staff remember him you'd let them know he's still winding us up with his antics. Good luck with your racing in the future, I always look out for your runners especially Matmata De Tendron as he would have a place at mine anytime his owners would like! Emma Burton