Beloved Tetley Horse statue to be repaired and returned to Leeds after being attacked by vandals

The beloved Tetley Dray Horse statue is set to return to Leeds’ Aire Park in 2027 after being badly damaged by vandals earlier this year.

The famous sculpture, which has been a familiar sight around the city for more than 30 years, is being recreated in bronze after the original fibreglass statue was ripped from its plinth in June.

Developer Vastint UK has appointed Castle Fine Arts Foundry to create the new version of the much-loved landmark.

The original statue was collected yesterday (7 October) and taken to the foundry’s facility in Mid-Wales, where work will begin to create a mould for the new sculpture.

The process is expected to take around 16 weeks before the new bronze horse begins its journey back to Aire Park, with its return expected in early 2027.

The statue was first installed at Brewery Wharf in 1994 before being moved outside Tetley House. It was refurbished and relocated to the heart of Aire Park in 2025.

Colleen Carter, assistant marketing manager at Aire Park, said the statue was “held in great affection” by local residents and the team at Aire Park.

She said: “The statue is held in great affection by local residents and our own team and recognises the important role dray horses played in the history of the brewery.

“We are therefore delighted to be able to bring it back to Aire Park.”

Colleen added that while the original sculpture was too badly damaged to repair, Vastint UK was “committed to recreating this much-loved landmark” in bronze.

Chris Weston, head of sales at Castle Fine Arts Foundry, said the team understood the connection people form with important landmarks.

He said: “We are delighted to be working with Vastint UK to create a new version of the Tetley dray horse that can be enjoyed by visitors to Aire Park for many years to come.”

The new bronze statue will form part of the 24-acre mixed-use Aire Park development when it returns to Leeds.