Caroline Bailey pays tribute to lifelong friend Richard Bowers

Tributes have been paid to "a true gentleman" and a key figure in British National Hunt breeding after the death of Richard Bowers last Sunday aged 85.

Bowers was born with reins in his hands as a son of a farmer and noted horseman and he was involved in breaking young horses from an early age. He rode in point-to-points, was a member and later joint-master of the Oakley Hunt and was a renowned show judge.

He and his wife Meg, who died last year, ran The Elms Stud in Northamptonshire from 1976 until 2000. They stood a number of stallions, most notably Broadsword, sire of Irish Grand National hero Flashing Steel, and Neltino, who supplied King George VI Chase winner Teeton Mill.