Much-loved Newmarket gallops stalwart Jean Bucknell dies aged 82

Newmarket is mourning the passing of Jean Bucknell, the last of the 'old school' generation of work-watchers at the home of Flat racing, who died on Tuesday after a short illness aged 82.

Originally from Kent, she first moved to Newmarket in 1978, when employed as a nanny to Sir Henry Cecil's children Noel and Katie at Warren Place.

She met her long-time partner David Goodwin there, and they enjoyed the glory years at the Cecil stable, during which time Goodwin looked after Derby winners Slip Anchor (1985) and Commander In Chief (1993).

Commander In Chief: won the Derby in 1993Credit: Mark Cranham

While at Warren Place, Bucknell struck up a lifelong friendship with Lester Piggott and was drawn to the adjacent Heath, where she enjoyed nothing more than watching the Cecil stars being put through their paces on the gallops.

Bucknell soon became a familiar figure on work mornings around the town and, as a former trainer of point-to-pointers herself, was a good judge of a horse.

She struck up an association with legendary work-watcher George Robinson and took down markings of the various strings, a custom that has passed down through the generations.

Always kind and generous, in later years she set up the popular tour company Hoofbeats to share her passion for the Heath with others, and even did shifts in the National Horseracing Museum's practical gallery until shortly before she died.

Goodwin said: "Jean lived for going out on the gallops, which is what kept her going until now. She was a great judge. I remember her coming in a few years ago and telling me Henry had a good one before it ever ran. Of course, it was Frankel.

"I've been overwhelmed with the calls and cards I've received – they show how loved she was."

Before he retired two years ago, Goodwin worked for Jeremy Noseda, and Bucknell quickly became a familiar and much-loved figure at the trainer's Shalfleet Stables.

Noseda said: "Seeing Jean on the gallops was what work mornings in Newmarket were all about. She was very kind and a great friend to everybody. I'll miss her greatly."

Newmarket's longest-serving trainer Sir Mark Prescott also paid tribute, saying: "Jean was one of the last of the old school of work-watchers and the only female I've ever known to watch work. She'll be sorely missed."

Jean Bucknell : a much loved figure in Newmarket

My tribute

The Racing Post's Newmarket correspondent David Milnes pays tribute Jean Bucknell

I wouldn't know half of what I know now about Newmarket Heath if it wasn't for Jean Bucknell, who helped me immensely when learning all of the gallops when we first met in the 1980s. She was very passionate about Newmarket and had the town's best interests at heart.

A great judge, we regularly watched work together, when she would often be more taken with a horse that had finished third in a gallop than one who had finished first – who I favoured – and she usually was right.

Kind to everybody, she gifted birthday, Easter and Christmas presents to most of Newmarket. As recently as February we were at the bottom of Warren Hill in the midst of the busiest time of year, with John Gosden's string behind us, Sir Michael Stoute's in front, and Hugo Palmer's at the side. She loved it.

They now have a 'Legends of the Turf' walk along the pavement on Newmarket high street. I think the next slab should have Jean's name on it.

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