Racing Post's Brough Scott awarded MBE

BROUGH SCOTT, award-winning writer, broadcaster, charity worker and joint-founder of the Racing Post in 1986, has described himself as "very touched" after been honoured for a lifetime of outstanding achievement with an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Brough Scott: an industry great

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

Scott, who rode 100 winners as an amateur and professional jockey before spending 30 years presenting racing, first for ITV and then Channel 4, has long been a tireless supporter of the Injured Jockeys' Fund, of which he is chairman.

The 66-year-old, three-time sports feature writer of the year, is also a trustee of the Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre and chairman of the Martin Wills Racing Writing Awards' judging panel.

Scott said: "I am very touched and it's a great honour, but if you hang around long enough it happens, and I have certainly hung around long enough!

"I found out a few weeks ago, when I got a letter from the office of the Prime Minister, which I thought must have been about a tax return.

"Happily it wasn't, and I'm genuinely very thrilled to have been awarded the honour. I've worked with many fine people and they are also being recognised, as I am only the figurehead."

He added: "What I don't want is for this to be seen as a retirement medal. I hope it will spur me on to make a bit more of a contribution in the future as I'm keen to take things forward, and to bring other people forwardas well."