Kingsclere man awarded Racing Welfare's Lifetime in Racing Award at Newbury Racecourse

A Kingsclere man has been recognised for his 54 years of dedication and commitment to the horse racing industry with a special accolade.

Geoff Rigby was the South winner of the Lifetime in Racing Award, which seeks to celebrate those who have devoted more than 30 years of their lives to working in horse racing.

Mr Rigby has worked at Kingsclere’s Park House Stables since 1968, and he was put forward for the award by his employer, horse trainer Andrew Balding.

Mr Balding said: “Geoff had to give up riding about 15 years ago but has continued with his stable duties and continuing to look after his horses to a high standard.

“He’s a fantastic member of the team, very popular – and all of this in spite of him having suffered an awful personal tragedy about 10 years ago when he lost his son.

“The way that Geoff has bounced back from that and still has so much to offer as a team player is a testament to his personality.

“He prides himself on his horses and their achievements and hopefully there will be more good horses for him to look after in the years to come.”

Mr Rigby received the award during a special presentation at Newbury Racecourse on Friday, October 21.

Mr Rigby said: “I was very pleased because I wasn’t expecting it, even though I’ve been in racing a long time.

“It was nice for Andrew to nominate me, and all my colleagues were congratulating me and said I deserved it.”

He was joined by his brother on the day, and the pair enjoyed a day of hospitality at the course, eating lunch in The Hennessey restaurant and watching an afternoon of racing.

Mr Rigby also said: “We had a very enjoyable day, and it’s a very nice trophy too.”

The Lifetime in Racing Awards saw 37 nationwide nominations being whittled down to four regional winners selected by a judging panel.

The awards were organised by Racing Welfare, a charity that supports all those who are involved in the racing industry.

Racing Welfare chief executive Dawn Goodfellow was on the judging panel and said: “It’s always such a pleasure to read the stories, and these awards give us the opportunity to shine a light on some of British horseracing’s longest standing staff members who have contributed so much to the sport.

“It was incredibly difficult to select the winners – in the South there was more than 230 years in the industry represented by the nominees.

“Congratulations to Geoff and indeed all those who were nominated – and thank you to Newbury Racecourse for providing Geoff with a wonderful and fitting day.”