Windsor moves step closer to realising hotel plans

Windsor racecourse's application to build a hotel was approved by the urban planning committee of Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council on Wednesday night.

The application was passed despite the fact it is in a green belt, and drew objections from the Environment Agency, because it is on a flood plain, and from Highways England, which claimed there was not enough provision for parking.

There are already hotels at fellow Arena Racing Company courses Lingfield, Newcastle and Wolverhampton and another is set to open at Doncaster next summer.

Windsor executive director Simon Williams said: "We are really pleased that the council has approved the application so it can progress to review by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and we await the outcome of this process.

"We hope ARC’s investment in a new hotel will make an enormous contribution to the local economy by supporting tourism and business in the area."

Future Champions Education week comes to end

Friday marks the end of the fourth edition of the Dubai Future Champions Education Week, a joint intiative by Godolphin and Newmarket Racecourses to increase awareness of the racing and breeding industry among local students.

128 year 8 students from Newmarket Academy have been engaged in a wide range of activities during the week and will be on course for Friday's card to see the practical end result for the knowledge they have acquired at venues including Dalham Hall Stud, Tattersalls, the British Racing School, Rossdales veterinary practice and the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art.

The five-day education programme is structured around the racing industry and has incorporated topics such as science, geography, history, art, fitness, nutrition and photography.

Newmarket's mayor, Councillor Andy Drummond, said: "Considering the recent news regarding the launch of the five year Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project, the contribution made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been extremely generous and strongly represents the on-going commitment to Newmarket and the local community.

"Dubai Future Champions Education Week provides Newmarket Academy students with a unique opportunity to further their learning alongside exploring their immediate surroundings."

Stubbs masterpiece on display at National Heritage Centre

George Stubbs portrait of Snap and Thomas Jackson, now on display in the Packard Galleries at the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting ArtCredit: National Heritage Centre, Newmarket

The Packard Gallery at the Newmarket's National Heritage Centre has taken delivery of two important racing works on long-term loan from private collections.

"Jenison Shafto's racehorse Snap, held by Thomas Jackson," is one of the earliest fruits of renowned equine portrait artist George Stubbs' association with the town.

Also on display is a portrait of Colonel Thornton – a colourful and important figure in racing and field sports in the late 18th and early 19th centuries – by Philip Reinagle and Sawrey Gilpin.

Details of opening hours and admission prices to the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art can be found at

www.palacehousenewmarket.co.uk

Fund set up to support family of Anthony Deau

Anthony Deau: French jockey was riding in BelgiumCredit: ScoopDyga.com

Tributes continue to be paid to jockey Anthony Deau, who died on Monday as a result of injuries sustained in a fall at Mons racecourse the previous day.

47-year-old Deau, who grew up in the west of France but spent most of his career in Belgium and Holland, is survived by his wife and two children.

Chantilly-based trainer Sandrine Tarrou shared a Facebook post from Deau's daughter Anais, containing a photo of the pair taken at Mons on the day of the tragedy.

In the post Anais Deau questions why there were not better ambulance facilities at the track, where medical staff worked on Deau for nearly half an hour before he was transported to hospital.

A fund has been set up to support Deau's family, details of which can be found at:

https://gogetfunding.com/fundraising-for-the-family-of-anthony-deau/

Action Fraud contacted over tipping mailshot

Nigel Shields, who has owned approaching 300 winners on the Flat, has been in touch with Action Fraud after he learnt his name was being used in a tipping mailshot sent out recently by White Horse Bloodstock Agency.

A former handicapper who earned the reputation of being a shrewd judge and an expert placer of his horses, Shields enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with former all-weather champion Nick Littmoden, but also enjoyed success with Gary Moore, David Barron, Karl Burke, Paul Blockley and others.

He had two dual winners in training with Littmoden in 2012 but is barely involved in racing nowadays and is keen to disassociate himself from any tipping organisations using his name.