Cheveley Park Stud owners David and Patricia Thompson recognised with CBEs

Cheveley Park Stud owners David and Patricia Thompson have been recognised for their extraordinary philanthropic work by each being awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

The Thompsons have given many millions of pounds to a host of good causes through The Thompson Family Charitable Trust.

Cheveley Park manager Chris Richardson said: "For both Mr and Mrs Thompson to have been recognised with CBEs is fantastic. All of us at Cheveley Park Stud are delighted and extremely proud of them. The Thompson Family Charitable Trust has done so much phenomenal work over so many years."

Paul Lee, chairman of the Levy Board from 2009 until March this year, receives an OBE.

Paul Lee Chairman of the Horserace Levy Board plants a Diamond Jubilee Tree with Perth Racecourse Manager Sam Morshead and Chairman David Whitaker at Perth 26/9/12Photograph by John GrossickCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

Lee said: "I'm delighted and pleased. This is an award which is effectively a recognition of the work the Levy Board does, so I hope everyone there can take some share in the appreciation and acknowledgement which is implicit in it."

Johnny Weatherby, for nine years the Queen’s representative at Ascot until standing down this summer, has been awarded the KCVO (Royal Victorian Order), which rewards personal services to the monarch.

Johnny Weatherby (right) with the Queen, Prince Philip and John Warren (second right), the Queen's racing adviserCredit: John Phillips (Getty Images)

Weatherby succeeded the Duke of Devonshire as the Queen’s representative at Ascot in 2011. The Weatherbys chairman first joined Ascot as a trustee in 1997 and was chairman of the board from 2008 to 2018.

Weatherby said: "I am absolutely thrilled to receive this award which I accept on behalf of the wonderful team at Ascot, both past and present, who have done such a magnificent job throughout the 23 years I was lucky enough to be involved.

"Ascot is a truly special racecourse with a magnificent history and an exciting future but, above all, horseracing has been blessed with the unequivocal support of Her Majesty the Queen. Long may that continue.”

Estimate and the Queen: gold seal on passion of a lifetime at Royal Ascot

Former jump jockey and trainer Ron Atkins has been honoured for his services to racing with an MBE.

He was vice-president of the Jockeys' Association for 18 years, instigated the Jockeys' Pension Fund and was one of the association's first course inspectors.

Atkins, who lives in Petworth, West Sussex, rode over 400 winners during his career, including for leading trainers Fred Winter, Ryan Price and Fred Rimell. He also enjoyed a spell with 15-time champion jumps trainer Martin Pipe between 1976 and 1981.

Some of the best horses he rode included Moyne Royal, Mon Plaisir, Traite de Paix, Ruddy Drake and William Pitt.

His first winner as a trainer was Oranmore and he is perhaps best associated with Rushmere, who won five races over hurdles and three on the Flat.

After his retirement, Atkins went on to become director of operations at the Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre.

Read more:

Nicholls and Henderson have reason to smile after both are awarded an OBE

Inspirational war veteran and amateur jockey Guy Disney awarded MBE

Paul Darling returns to Levy Board as new chairman of racing's funding body

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