Major Johnnie Lewis to be remembered

A service of thanksgiving for the life of Major Johnnie Lewis will be held at noon on July 7 at the church of St Mary the Virgin in Childrey, Oxfordshire.

Lewis, who died peacefully on June 22, was a highly influential figure in the bloodstock industry - serving as vice-chairman of the British Bloodstock Agency and as adviser to Prince AA Faisal, for whom he nurtured the family of Rafha. The blue hen's progeny include the leading sires Invincible Spirit and Kodiac, as well as black-type performers Sadian, Acts of Grace and Massarra.

Lewis was also instrumental in the increased traffic of European bloodstock to Japan, assisting the export of Lammtarra, Generous and Kingmambo. Among his other clients was Benny Andersson of Abba fame.

He is survived by his wife Virginia, and sons Rupert and Rhydian. "I am very proud of what my father achieved in racing and in the world of bloodstock," the latter said. "He was very respected, and very fair. He was also very international in his outlook, as shown by his involvement in the Japanese industry, and gave me a deep love of horseracing."