Mark Johnston assistant Jock Bennett honoured with lifetime in racing award

Two stalwarts of racing in the north were honoured at Catterick on Wednesday when close friends Jock Bennett and Kenny Williams were recognised by Racing Welfare with awards for their service to the sport, which totals a whopping 96 years.

Bennett, now an important part of Mark Johnston's all-conquering operation, started with Classic-winning trainer Bill Watts in 1972, the year the yard's Waterloo won the 1,000 Guineas.

After starting as an apprentice and having two rides, Bennett progressed to become head lad before in 1997 joining Johnston, whom he is now assistant to.

He was employee of the Year at the 2013 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, while Williams, whose career started in 1970, had spells with George Noel Robinson and Ken Payne before moving to Watts's, where his great friendship with Bennett was forged.

Williams, who rode winners on the Flat and over jumps, partnered the Watts-trained Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Arlington Million hero Teleprompter in his work at home.

He has also worked for Jack and Linda Ramsden, Alan Swinbank and linked up with Michael Dods, where he has been travelling head lad since 2013.

October Club sponsors at Ascot to coincide with Spinal Injuries Association fundraising launch

The October Club, which raises funds for a specified charity – this year it is the Spinal Injuries Association – holds its annual race day at Ascot on Friday.

Every year since 1987 The October Club has chosen a charity with a project, or projects, in several UK regions, for which the funds raised will prove transformational.

Nik Hartley OBE, CEO of Spinal Injuries Association, said: "It is terrible to think that people in the UK, paralysed by an accident or medical condition, are then at risk of sub-standard levels of care to the point of risking their lives.

“This incredible opportunity given to us by The October Club will help us transform this situation for good.”

The October Club sponsors the 5f fillies’ handicap on the Ascot card.

Gambling Commission to consult on credit card gambling

The Gambling Commission is to hold a twelve-week consultation about whether to allow gambling online with credit cards, beginning in mid-August.

The industry regulator said one approach would be to ban the practice but added the public and all other stakeholders would be consulted on other options, including restricting the use of credit cards.

Gambling Commission executive director Paul Hope said: "Gambling with borrowed money is known to be a risk factor for consumers, so we think there is a need for action. This consultation will help us decide what that action should be."

Zaaki supplemented for Lennox Stakes

Zaaki, the winner of the Group 3 Diomed Stakes on Derby day last month, has been supplemented for the Group 2 Qatar Lennox Stakes on the opening day of the Goodwood festival.

Zaaki: entered for the Lennox StakesCredit: Getty Images

The four-year-old, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, has won two of his three starts this season and was last seen finishing a close second to the ill-fated Beat The Bank in the Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot.

Space Traveller, who landed the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, Sir Dancealot and Hey Gaman are also possibilities for the 7f contest.

Baldings to host charity tea party

The Balding family and Batten disease sufferer Lily O'Conner will host a tea party at Park House Stables on Thursday to raise money for the Batten Disease Family Association.

O'Conner has suffered from the neurodegenerative condition for some time and Anna Lisa Balding, wife of trainer Andrew, said:"We hope to provide some much needed fundraising for Heather House and the children with Batten disease who live there and rely on all our help for the care that they receive."

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the yard and see a parade of horses, some of which will be due to run at Glorious Goodwood. They will also be able to to listen to Andrew go through the meeting's big races with a top jockey.

Tickets for the event are £40 for adults and £5 for under 16s. They can be purchased at www.passingthebatten.co.uk

No race will be run for less than £5,000 at Hamilton ParkCredit: Grossick Racing Photography 0771

Hamilton to host RCA Showcase & Awards following 2018 victory

The Racecourse Association will hold its tenth annual Showcase & Awards at Hamilton Park on November 14, the first time the event has been hosted in Scotland.

The Showcase & Awards highlights excellence and innovation at British racecourses and will be headlined by the crowning of a champion racecourse and champion groundstaff team.

The Racing Post is one of the three major sponsors of the initiative – along with Moet Hennessy and Great British Racing – and will again this year encourage Racing Post readers to vote for their best
on-course experiences.

Paul Swain, Brand & Experience Manager at the RCA, said: "I am thrilled to be taking the Showcase & Awards to Hamilton Park in our decennary year. This event is a wonderful celebration of the best of British Racecourses and what better place to be than the home of our reigning champions.

"My team and I look forward to receiving the submissions from racecourses. I've no doubt that our tenth renewal will be as hotly contested as ever with the initiatives put forward by
racecourses to enhance the raceday experience becoming more sophisticated and successful each year."