Ascot pays tribute to one of its own following the death of Godfrey Tabiner

Ascot on Saturday honoured one of its most familiar voices following the death of Godfrey Tabiner this week, for a quarter of a century the racecourse's master of ceremonies.

The popular and respected Tabiner was born and bred into racing as the son of an apprentice jockey. Since first being employed in the sport in 1971 he held a number of jobs, including as clerk of the course at Fakenham, and had continued to work as Leicester's raceday announcer after retiring from Ascot's winner's podium at last year's royal meeting.

Paying tribute to Tabiner, who cited the 1996 afternoon of Frankie Dettori's 'Magnificent Seven' and Estimate's 2013 Gold Cup as his favourite Ascot memories, the track's director of racing Nick Smith said: "Godfrey was a much-loved part of the Ascot community for some 25 years. Through that time he made many friends here and with the wider racing community.

Estimate: the filly's win in the 2013 Gold Cup was one of Godfrey Tabiner's Ascot highlightsCredit: Edward Whitaker

"There is no doubt Godfrey was a master at what he did, from absorbing all the protocols required for royal family presentations to applying the light and friendly touch for which he was so well known.

"We were very sad to see Godfrey retire recently and were delighted to pay tribute to him with a race in his honour which, for the first time, saw roles reversed as he was called to the podium. We are all thinking of Godfrey’s family at this time."

Tabiner was remembered on Saturday by his successor at Britain's most famous racecourse, Martin Kelly, who told racegoers before the day's first presentation that his predecessor had been "a staple of Ascot, old and new".

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com