'Pioneering' Northern Racing College figure Jim Gale dies aged 73

Jim Gale, a driving force behind the foundation of the Northern Racing College at Doncaster and awarded an OBE in 2011 for his services to the racing industry, died on Tuesday following a long illness. He was 73.

Gale made a major contribution to the establishment of the first coherent education and training structure within the industry, and his work in that field was recognised as having helped to improve opportunities and self esteem among staff within studs and stables.

He was the inspiration behind the establishment of the South Yorkshire Apprentice Racing Training School in 1984 and two years later set up the South Yorkshire Training Trust, which took over the operation of the racing school and became the Northern Racing College – one of only two such establishments in the country and now known as the National Horseracing College. He was chief executive of the Northern Racing College from 1984 to 2008.

Among his many other contributions to education and welfare within the industry Gale also established the first specialist racing school in Scotland – the Scottish Racing Academy – and advised on the creation of a similar school in Italy and the establishment in 1999 of the European Association of Racing Schools, of which he was chairman for two years.

Brough Scott: 'I was a huge admirer of what Jim achieved'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Brough Scott, who worked with Gale on a variety of education and training projects, said: "Jim was a real pioneer in the field and I was a huge admirer of what he achieved. Racing belongs to the whole country and Jim was a great believer in the principle that there should be a northern centre as well as the Newmarket base. Jim made sure that youngsters in the north were as well catered for as those in the south."

Stephen Padgett, chief executive of the National Horseracing College, said: "We are saddened to learn of the death of Jim Gale, who was chief executive of the NRC from its formal establishment in July 1984 until 2008. Coming only a month after the death of the NRC’s first chairman Colin Wedd, Jim’s passing ends another significant link with the foundation of the College.

"Jim’s considerable energies and efforts helped to pave the way for today’s excellent industry model providing a range of education and training programmes, some of which are eligible for government funding to offset the cost to the industry.

"The condolences of everyone associated with the NHC go to Jim’s family."

Gale's funeral will be held at 2pm on February 13 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Spinkhill, Sheffield, S21 3YB.