Skype brings racing staff – and royalty – together at Christmas

Racing is becoming ever quicker to embrace new technology, and one of the sport’s most regal fans is clearly doing the same. Attending one of four Racing Welfare Christmas lunches organised for retired racing staff on Wednesday, the organisation’s president Princess Royal opened proceedings with a speech at the Newmarket event – which was broadcast by Skype to sister celebrations in Lambourn, Middleham and Malton.

Not to be outdone attendees also got in on the action, with a Skype conference after the main course reuniting old friends from across the country.

The events, an annual affair attended this year by more than 250 former industry professionals, have quickly become a highlight of the Racing Welfare calendar since their Lambourn launch in 2006. Jack Berry made the journey for Middleham’s Christmas lunch debut, joining 48 retired staff, while Mick Fitzgerald oversaw proceedings in Lambourn and Graham Orange was special guest in Malton. Compere extraordinaire Derek Thompson took the reins in Newmarket, successfully orchestrating the Skype link-up and manning the raffle that brought live proceedings to a close.