GRANDAD Roger Saunders is celebrating his first winner as a racehorse owner – all because of a dip in form on the golf course.

The 77-year-old grandad from Heighington, County Durham, swapped his golf handicap for racing handicaps when his swing went to pot.

Despite not knowing anything about racing, he bought a horse with trainer Michael Dods at nearby Denton, and he and his wife Carol named it Dancin’ Boy.

And the couple were dancing for joy when the three-old gelding easily won the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Stakes at Redcar today at odds of 7-1.

Roger, a member of Barnard Castle Golf Club for 45 years, explained: "I was hitting the ball really badly and not enjoying it so I decided I needed a new hobby.

"I told my wife Carol that I was going to get a horse and she said I couldn't have one at first. But I managed to talk her round after pulling a crafty one and taking her for a nice day out at York Races.

"I knew nothing about racing but winning a race is like sinking a putt in the open. It’s definitely better than anything I’ve ever done on a golf course."

Roger, who sold his office equipment company when he retired, gave the horse a well-deserved kiss on the nose when he returned to the winner’s enclosure.