Racing legend Desert Orchid made a magnificent sight on the gallops near Norton.

Dessie, now 19 years old and well into his retirement from a glorious racing career, stretched his legs to publicise a forthcoming sale of his racing colours to raise money for charity.

The racehorse is now a regular visitor to Ryedale, as he spends part of every year staying with racehorse trainer Jeanie Brown, who moved to the Malton area three years ago. She has a long association with Dessie's owner, Richard Burridge, and has trained numerous point-to-point racers for him.

"He loves it here," said Mr Burridge. "He's spent all his life in a racing yard, that's what he likes."

The racehorse, who during his career earned more prize money than any other jumper in history, was also getting in trim for his next public appearance, at the York Pageant of the Horse, to be held next week at York Racecourse.

Putting the legendary grey through his paces was top jockey Mark Dwyer, sporting Dessie's racing colours. His son, James, aged five, also took a turn in the saddle.

The colours - the same cap and jersey worn by Richard Dunwoody when he rode Dessie to victory in four King George VI chases and the Irish Grand National - will come under the hammer at London auction house Christie's, next month.

They are expected to fetch more than £10,000 for two causes close to Mr Burridge's heart, the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre at Kendal, and the Centre for Integrative Medicines, on Teesside, which specialises in holistic medicine. <!C-#include virtual="/ep/sportfooter.html"

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