'He was a great supporter' - Champion Stakes-winning owner David Gold dies

Brian Meehan has paid tribute to "real gentleman" David Gold, part-owner of David Junior and many other good horses, who has died at the age of 86 following a short illness.

The businessman was best known for his connections to football and was joint-chairman of West Ham, whose boys team he played for between the ages of 13 and 16.

But he also owned Champion Stakes, Dubai Duty Free and Eclipse winner David Junior along with fellow West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan under the Roldvale banner.

Their colours were carried to Group race success by Freefourracing (Prestige Stakes), Risky (Queen Mary Stakes and Molecomb Stakes) and Swing Low (Lockinge and Celebration Mile) as well, while Buy The Sport was a notable winner for his own Gold Group International.

David Junior wins the Champion Stakes Jamie Spencer at Newmarket in 2005Credit: Edward Whitaker

David Junior and Buy The Sport were trained by Brian Meehan, who said: "It's sad news. He was a great friend of David Sullivan, that's how I met him, and he was a lovely man and a real gentleman.

"He was a great supporter and always showed a huge amount of interest in the horses. I trained for him for a long time and he had some amazing horses, like David Junior and Buy The Sport, and lots of fun.

"He enjoyed the day out and was always very grateful, he was one of those owners who would always thank you for training the horses and show his gratitude for how well they did.

"David Junior won the Eclipse and Champion Stakes and they were very special days. There were lots of nice horses and lots of really memorable days with him and David and their families."

He had been chairman of Birmingham City but sold his shares in 2009 and became joint-chairman of West Ham the following year after a takeover.

West Ham reported that he died peacefully with daughters Jacqueline and Vanessa, and fiancee Lesley by his side.