Proud Henderson recognised in Queen's new year's honours list

Four-time champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson on Friday spoke of his pride at being made a lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the Queen's new year's honours list.

Henderson, the Queen's primary jumps trainer, has won many of the sport's biggest prizes, including two Cheltenham Gold Cups, a record six Champion Hurdles, four Queen Mother Champion Chases and three King George VI Chases – the latest of which came via Might Bite in Tuesday's renewal.

"It's a proud moment," said Henderson. "One has been incredibly proud and honoured to have trained for Her Majesty, and the Queen Mother beforehand.

"It's been a long association and I'm very privileged and very proud to be awarded this. It's a very special bonus. We've had a lot of good times."

The Queen meeting the Nicky Henderson-trained Barbers ShopCredit: Mark Westley

The winningmost trainer at the Cheltenham Festival, Henderson runs the Queen's Sunshade in a Listed race at Taunton on Saturday.

Barbers Shop is probably the best horse he has trained in the famous purple and red silks. He said: "I always thought Close Touch was going to be a very good horse, although he never quite got there, but Barbers Shop was very good and finished fourth in a Hennessy and third in a King George."

Also recognised . . .

Author Jilly Cooper, who penned the novels Mount and Jump with a racing theme, and has been involved in racing as owner, was also recognised, being made a CBE for services to literature and charity.

"I'm terribly overexcited," said Cooper, who was also delighted to learn Henderson had also been honoured.

"I'm thrilled. One shouldn't be, but I think it's so heavenly at the age of 80 that you get a treat like this. It's wonderful."

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, an occasional amateur rider before he became an MP, was knighted, while Galen Weston, who used to own horses with Ian Balding, was made a commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO), and Polhampton Stud's Rachel Gwendoline Leocadia Murat an MVO (member).

Paul Taiano was awarded an OBE for services to drama training and horseracing welfare.

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