Rich Ricci Horses: A Kent Vineyard’s Toast to Cheltenham Glory

At the sun-warm rows of Yotes Court, Susannah Ricci uncorks a bottle named for a champion — the latest nod to rich ricci horses that have shaped her life. The bubbles rise, a label catches the light, and the moment ties a vineyard in Kent to a racing yard and to memories from Cheltenham.

What are Rich Ricci Horses and why is a wine named for Annie Power?

Rich Ricci horses refers to the high-profile racehorses associated with Susannah Ricci and her husband, Rich. On a working 70-acre farm in Kent, Susannah has been producing wine for over 10 years and has chosen to honour several top horses by naming labels after them. Sparkling wines already carry names such as Benie Des Dieux, Chacun Pour Soi and Let’s Dance. The newest release continues that pattern: Annie Power Cuvée 21, a sparkling wine dedicated to the mare whose Champion Hurdle victory at Cheltenham remains a defining moment for the family.

Susannah Ricci, who owns Yotes Court and manages its wine production, said: “Annie Power was a truly special mare, who gave our team some of the most thrilling and emotional moments in racing. Her Champion Hurdle victory at Cheltenham remains one of the highlights of my life as an owner, and it felt fitting to honour that achievement with something equally elegant and celebratory. Annie Power Cuvée 21 is a tribute to her spirit – refined, vibrant and unforgettable. “

How does a 70-acre farm turn race memories into a business?

Yotes Court has been producing wine for more than a decade on its 70 acres, and the Riccis have woven equine themes through their portfolio. Beyond sparkling bottles named after leading horses, red, white and rosé labels carry equine-inspired identities that reflect the owners’ life in racing. The approach blends personal history with commercial production: bottles act as both commemorations of racing achievements and as products for sale to a broader public.

Economically, the move places the vineyard at the intersection of two communities — racing enthusiasts who recognise the names and wine buyers drawn to artisanal, locally produced bottles. Practically, it gives the farm a seasonal rhythm tied to the racing calendar; culturally, it keeps Cheltenham memories — like Annie Power’s Champion Hurdle win — visible in a different setting.

When can people buy Annie Power Cuvée 21, and what does this mean for owners and fans?

Orders for Annie Power Cuvée 21 are available online now, and bottles will be for purchase beginning in April. For owners and fans, the wine is both a collectible and a celebratory object: it allows supporters to mark a sporting moment with a tangible keepsake, while helping a family-run vineyard sustain its production.

Susannah Ricci’s dual role — racehorse owner and vineyard producer — provides an expert perspective on why the naming makes sense. Her stewardship of the Yotes Court site for over 10 years gives her direct experience of turning harvests into branded products that carry personal meaning. The project showcases how personal narratives can become part of a small business model without diluting either the memory or the product.

Back among the vines, a foil-wrapped neck and a handwritten label point back to the opening scene. A bottle of Annie Power Cuvée 21 sits ready to be opened; its purpose is both practical and ceremonial. For Susannah Ricci and those who cheered on the mare at Cheltenham, the wine is a way to raise a glass to a moment that still glows in memory — and to keep the story of rich Ricci horses alive in a different place, among the rows of a Kent farm.