Racing turns out in force for funeral of leading official Patrick Hibbert-Foy

It was standing room only in St Mary's Church in Masham, North Yorkshire on Monday, as more than 200 people gathered to remember Patrick Hibbert-Foy, who died this month.

The turnout might have surprised the former senior stewards' secretary, whose stepson Edward Legard revealed in his eulogy: "Shortly before he died Patrick said he didn’t want a funeral as he didn't think anyone would come."

Surveying the masses in front of and behind him, he said: "This is a reflection of the esteem and respect in which he was held."

A former captain in the 9th/12th Royal Lancers, Hibbert-Foy served as senior stewards' secretary from 1994 until 2002, before becoming a racecourse steward and also a member of the BHA disciplinary panel from 2005 until 2012.

Over 200 in attendance for the funeral of Patrick Hibbert-Foy

"He was one of the most respected officials of his generation," Legard said. "He was scrupulously honest, utterly dependable and firm but fair.

"He wasn't always the most popular with jockeys and jockeys are not an easy electorate to please but over time even the Willie Carsons of this world had nothing but complete respect and admiration for him because they knew where he stood and he treated them all equally."

Hibbert-Foy officiated at the disastrous 1993 Grand National, when the start was disrupted by animal rights activists and was subject to two false starts with the recall system failing on the second occasion.

"Despite it not being his fault he had the moral courage to accept responsibility to face the press and the Jockey Club board," Legard said.

Congregation gathers outside St Mary's Church

Stipendiary steward Simon Cowley travelled up from Cheltenham to North Yorkshire and said: "He was my first boss in this department. I worked with him for a long time and above all else he was utterly straight, a man of integrity."

Haydock clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright added: "I knew him for 30-odd years and everything said of him in the eulogy was right. He joined the panel at Haydock when he retired and he was a very level headed, very knowledgeable, fearless administrator."

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