'Christopher's contribution to horseracing simply cannot be overstated'

The Jockey Club's senior steward Sandy Dudgeon has paid tribute to Christopher Spence, who filled the same role between 1998 and 2003, following his death at the age of 84 on Monday.

Spence was the owner-breeder of Gold Cup winner Celeric and enjoyed other high-profile success with Yorkshire Oaks winner Frontier Goddess and St Simon Stakes scorer Sesame.

He was a founder director of the British Horseracing Board and served as senior steward of the Jockey Club for five years, while also enjoying stints as chairman of Racecourse Holdings Trust (now Jockey Club Racecourses), the National Stud and Newbury racecourse.

Dudgeon, who started in his current role in July 2019, said: "All of us at The Jockey Club were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Christopher Spence, whose contribution to horseracing simply cannot be overstated.

Christopher Spence, Jockey Club senior steward and leading owner, dies aged 84

"As senior steward between 1998 and 2003 he oversaw a challenging period of transition at The Jockey Club, having recently given up governance of the sport and shortly before passing regulatory powers to an independent body to concentrate on ensuring the commercial success of the organisation we know today.

"A Jockey Club member since 1986, Christopher's passion for and dedication to the sport knew no bounds and over the years he held a number of other senior positions within racing, including chairman of Racecourse Holdings Trust and the National Stud.

"He was also a successful owner-breeder and those fortunate enough to have met Christopher on or off the racecourse will remember him as someone who not only took great pride in everything he did but who also lived life with a smile on his face.

"Christopher will be greatly missed by us all and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

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