Richard Johnson to take on new role at Arena Racing Company after retirement

Arena Racing Company (Arc) has announced that four-time champion jockey Richard Johnson will take up a consultancy role with the group after his retirement from riding.

Johnson bowed out from a spectacular career in the saddle at Newton Abbot on Saturday having ridden 3,819 winners, a tally second only to Sir Anthony McCoy.

The 43-year-old will now take on a part-time role with Arc, offering advice and guidance across the group's 16 racecourses, as well as an ambassadorial role with sponsors and racegoers at major meetings.

Johnson will work with Arc's racing and clerking teams across the country in areas such as race planning, ground maintenance and other related matters.

Johnson said: "I am delighted to be taking up this consultancy role with Arc, and to be able to share my experience with their teams. Having spent over 25 years riding at a large number of Arc racecourses, I hope that I will be able to offer some valuable advice and insight into a number of areas, and look forward to getting involved in this new role."

Managing director of Arc's racing division Mark Spincer, said: "I have absolutely no doubt that Richard's many years at the top of our sport will only be for the benefit of our teams as we continually strive to host the best sport that we possibly can."

Irish Grand National winner Ger Dowd dies aged 65

Irish Grand National-winning jockey Ger Dowd has passed away at the age of 65.

Dowd was on board Brown Lad when he won his third Irish Grand National in 1978, and trainer Jim Dreaper said he was a big part of the stable back in the 1970s.

Until recently he rode out at the stables of Alan Delaney and Paul Stafford.

Dreaper said: "Ger rode a number of winners for us in the 70s. He came in for the ride on Brown Lad in 1978 as Tommy Carberry was claimed by somebody to ride something else. He gave him a great ride and it was a terrific day."

Dowd was also a talented Gaelic footballer and was part of the Dunshaughlin team who won the Intermediate Championship in 1977. He went on to represent Meath afterwards.

Seven added at second entry stage for 2021 Cazoo Derby

The second entry stage for the 2021 Cazoo Derby saw seven new colts entered, including Jim Bolger's Group 1 winner Mac Swiney, who is a general 20-1 shot for Epsom glory.

There are now 122 in contention for the Derby on June 5, with Godolphin and Charlie Appleby responsible for four of the new entries. Adayar, Hurricane Lane and Yibir are joined in the field by One Ruler, who was runner-up to Mac Swiney in the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.

Richard Hannon's Mojo Star and Hugo Palmer's Irish Legend were the other horses to be added to the Derby, for which the Aidan O'Brien-trained Beresford Stakes winner High Definition is general 7-2 favourite.

O'Brien is responsible for 13 of the 60 entries for the Cazoo Oaks on June 4, including early market leader Santa Barbara. Other notable names include the Joseph O'Brien-trained pair Indigo Girl and Pretty Gorgeous, and Roger Varian's Teona.

There are 31 horses in contention for the Group 1 Coronation Cup on Oaks day, with last year's Derby hero Serpentine making up a strong Ballydoyle contingent.

Nigel Payne, one of racing's most distinguished and long-serving officials, has published his memoirs.

Involved in a wide range of roles in racing since the 1970s, Payne is particularly well known for his involvement with the Grand National, serving as a press officer at Aintree for 39 years and a winner of the race as one of the co-owners of Earth Summit.

He subsequently served as chairman of the Professional Jockeys Association, stepping down last year, and continues to chair the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust. He was awarded an MBE for services to horseracing and charity in the New Year's honours list.

Payne said: "Initially, I was persuaded to recall my time in racing for family and close friends, and then I thought one or two others may enjoy hearing about what I was up to throughout the 50 years.

Nigel Payne: presentations are mightily important to sponsorsCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"Saving the National, launching SIS and the birth of TVs in betting shops, developments in France and Argentina and the absolute joy of winning the National and, naturally, missed opportunities – it's all there."

Entitled Diaries of a Racing Man, the memoirs are free of charge on application to Payne, with readers requested to donate instead to the O'Sullevan Trust.

Email nigel@earthsummit.co.uk with full name and address to secure a copy.

Death of former international amateur riders' association president

Baron Henry de Montesquieu has died at the age of 94. He was president of Fegentri, the international amateur riders’ association, from 1987 to 2001 and remained a patron of the organisation up to his death.

De Montesquieu was a noted amateur rider in France and was president of the French Amateur Riders’ Association from 1988-98.

Fegentri president Elie Hennau said: ”For over 20 years Henry was the perfect ambassador of Fegentri, tirelessly promoting the elegance and sportsmanship that define amateur racing at the highest level.

"His motto was: ‘Tradition is not just stirring cold ashes, but blowing on embers’, and he put this into action, launching many initiatives during his presidency. Our thoughts are with his family.”

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