Ambassadors & Patrons

Our Ambassadors

HEROS Charity is very fortunate to be championed by such celebrated people who have come to HEROS and offered their support. Not only do they attend events, which obviously helps increase visibility through the media, in some instances they also work and lobby with us in other ways helping to get our message across to a wider audience.

Our Patrons

HEROS Charity could not continue its valuable work without the support of our patrons…

Marcus Townend

Marcus Townend is the Sportsmail correspondent for the Daily Mail with a focus on writing about racing. In October 2015 he set about learning to ride having accepted a challenge to ride in a charity race. From zero experience to riding a thoroughbred in the HEROS Charity race at Royal Windsor Racecourse in August 2016 (with less than a year’s experience in the saddle) Marcus has discovered a new perspective of the racing industry.

Paul Roy

Paul Roy has more than 30 years’ experience in the banking and securities industry and is presently Chairman of RoR. Paul has had several of his horses rehomed by HEROS over the years, Tamiami Trail and Twilight Blues to name a few and HEROS currently have his wife’s first racehorse Susan’s Pride, here in our HEROS Club as he is now an OAP. He is very keen on rehoming ex-racehorses and always makes sure his horses are catered for after their racing days are over.

John Reid MBE

Retired from racing in September 2001 John was a triumphant flat jockey. His first classic victory came in 1982 in the 1,000 Guineas aboard ON THE HOUSE. He followed with wins in the King George and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes twice to name a few. His biggest win came on DR DEVIOUS in the 1992 Epsom Derby. In total John rode 1,937 winners and 48 international Group 1 races.

In 1997 John was made MBE for his services to horse racing – which he continues to date supporting HEROS Charity. He is now one of the best jockey coaches in the country as well as being a horse racing consultant helping many owners, breeders and trainers at the sales.

Michelle McCullagh

We were delighted to welcome Michelle as a Patron of HEROS in 2014 after she visited us with the Society of Equestrian Artists (SEA) and saw what we we do here.

Horses have always been a huge part of her life – she was on a horse before she could draw and was drawing before she could write. It was her grandmother who first taught her how to draw a horse’s back leg. Now Michelle makes her their living from painting horses.

Michelle works from her studio in Dorset where her fascination with the anatomy of animals is explored in her paintings of light. Michelle’s work is inspired by studies that fill her sketchbook and is enhanced by her skilled draughtsmanship and thorough knowledge of anatomy. The result is an exciting and unique style which continues to challenge and excite her. Her work is regularly exhibited at The Osborne Studio Gallery in London and The Iona House Gallery in Woodstock.

Lady Eliza Mays-Smith

Racehorse owner and local land owner. Lady Eliza used to own and keep the Lambourn gallops and has always been a keen racehorse owner and rider.

Lady Martin

Wife of the late Sir George Martin, Lady Martin is an enthusiastic supporter of HEROS Charity and is always willing to help and support our various events.

Richard Hughes

Three-time champion jockey Richard Hughes has followed in the footsteps of his late father Dessie and his sister Sandra by joining the training ranks. Richard understands the diversity of Thoroughbreds: “They are intelligent and willing animals – it’s easy to support them on the track while they’re in the limelight so to speak, but all of us in racing have a duty to ensure their future away from that attention.”

Dr George & Rosemary Greener

George and Rosemary retired after busy lives running businesses and providing counselling services. Their interests in horses began when George learned to ride at 50 and Rosemary began her involvement with breeding and racing.

They got to know Grace and the Muir family very well and quickly realised just how special Grace is with horses and the excellence of HEROS Charity. George stepped down as the Chair of the HEROS Board of Trustees after four years. Now Rosemary and George are delighted to have the opportunity, working together, to give their help and support as patrons.

John Francome MBE

Former Team European Show Jumping Champion and Young Show Jumping Rider of GB and seven-times Champion National Hunt jockey referred to as ‘The Greatest Jockey’ by Lord Oaksey, he Is now a racing journalist having retired from presenting racing on Channel 4.

He is also a writer of fictional racing thrillers and has been President of The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF). Following a successful first HEROS Golf Day, John has taken up the mantle to help HEROS Charity with this event going forward.

Mick Fitzgerald

One of the most successful National Hunt jockeys of our generation, he won the Grand National on ROUGH QUEST in 1996 and held the title for leading jockey at the Cheltenham festival for two years running in 1999 and 2000. He now runs his own racing syndicates and commentates on the TV.

Wayne & Sarah Clifford

One of the most successful National Hunt jockeys of our generation, he won the Grand National on ROUGH QUEST in 1996 and held the title for leading jockey at the Cheltenham festival for two years running in 1999 and 2000. He now runs his own racing syndicates and commentates on the TV.

Marcus Armytage

Marcus is racing correspondent for the Daily Telegraph and regularly writes a column for the Horse and Hound. He was an amateur National Hunt jockey, winning the Grand National on MR FRISK in 1990 (in a then record time), giving him an epic ride.