In Loving Memory
If you would like to donate in the memory of a loved one then we would be honoured.
Below we pay tribute to the many people who have shared our passion for the Thoroughbred but are sadly no longer with us…
MR DAVID JOHN (IAN) MUIR – 1927 TO 2014
David John Muir was better known to everyone in racing as Ian.
His life was a full one, having set up Fawley Stud – one of the largest thoroughbred studs in England during the 1950s standing five stallions and often foaling up to 95 mares a year. He was very well respected throughout the thoroughbred world for his knowledge and expertise.
He enjoyed talking about his wonderful days with Ryan Price who was both a friend and a client at the Stud. Ian also bred WHAT A MYTH, which Ryan Price trained to win both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Whitbread Gold Cup.
He bred DESTROYER, who won The Henry VII Stakes 1985 and was third to GILDORAN in 1984 in The Ascot Gold Cup. DESTROYER was out of one of his own mares, MARY GREEN, who he also bred at the stud.
Ian’s expertise in foaling mares was wonderful to behold and a vet who worked with him once said to his daughter Grace: “If Ian ever called for help I didn’t rush. If he couldn’t do it, then I sure couldn’t either.”
Ian, with his wife, Agnes have supported Grace in her quest to set up HEROS Charity and rehome ex-racehorses to new careers. Without them HEROS Charity would not exist today. Grace said: “He was an amazing father and I am proud to be his daughter. He has left me so much and will always be in my heart. He was a kind man and helped so many people and touched many in his life.”
KEN HARGREAVES – 1938 TO 2015
Grace met Ken in 1997 when she was working at North Farm Stud as Stud Manager. Ken and his son Ady were regular racegoers at Newbury Racecourse and would always visit The Ibex pub in Chaddleworth for an Ibex ‘pie and a pint’ after racing, which is where they initially met. Ken was already well known by Charlie Egerton’s lads Joseph Tuite and Geoffrey Deacon (now both trainers) and Ken was often at the parties held around the village at that time.
Ken was a brilliant photographer and his passion was going around yards taking ad-lib photos of things going on in the yard. He produced albums of photos for us at North Farm Stud and HEROS Charity – many of Ken’s photos have been used on our websites and brochures and other media items over the years. He was not only brilliant at his photography but he also became a great friend to all at North Farm Stud and HEROS and joined in all the activities.
We all looked forward to and loved Ken’s visits and he will be very much missed by us all as he was a “larger than life character and a wonderful man”.
IAN FOX – 1945 TO 2015
“Ian was a keen racegoer throughout his life, particularly at Kelso Racecourse. Horse racing gave him many years of fun. We are so glad that your charity has benefited from the collection at his funeral. Please keep up the good work in his memory.”
Thank you to all of Ian’s family and friends for their generous donation.
MR STEVEN WATTS
Steven’s friends, family and colleagues from Network Research kindly donated a fitting sum to HEROS Charity in memory of Steven who loved horse racing. He will be greatly missed.
MICHEAL STEWART
Friends and family of Micheal donated to HEROS Charity in honour of his love for horses and going to the races.
KEITH WILLIAM ALLINSON
Keith sadly passed away on 4th March 2008 aged 61 years. Keith was a great lover of horseracing who enjoyed going to the races as well as watching it on television. A generous sum was donated by his many family, friends and colleagues after his funeral.
BERNIE CLAPTON
Family of Bernie donated a sum of money to help HEROS Charity continue its work. We hugely appreciate it.
SYLVIA SMALLBONE
HEROS Charity is saddened to learn of the death of Sylvia who was one of HEROS Charity’s valued supporters. She was always a keen horse lover who got involved with horse racing when winning a share in a horse owned by The Reading Evening Post Club. When this horse later became the property of Elite Racing Club, Sylvia was offered membership with Elite and remained a loyal member from then on. It was through her love of horses and her desire to see that they got a life after racing that she became involved with HEROS Charity.
In 2007 HEROS took in an Elite Racing Club racehorse. Sylvia had been particularly fond of this horse and came to visit From that date onward she took a full part in helping HEROS raise funds by regularly helping with ‘bucket collections’ at racecourse exits , helping with refreshments and selling merchandise when HEROS put on visits and attending many of our functions. As a member of the Beekeepers Society she was often asked to give talks and donated any fees she received to HEROS.
Thank you Sylvia for being a part of the HEROS team. We will miss you.
CAROLINE BEAUMONT
Caroline was a friend of HEROS Charity from the start, having rescued an ex-racehorse called SASEEDO who she then gifted to HEROS Charity, where he still lives today as a HEROS Club Horse.
Caroline visited him regularly bringing him many treats and he always knew her. If she could not get here we often found a supply was sent in the post. All of us at HEROS Charity, and SASEEDO, miss her visits.
Caroline was connected to the racing industry for all her working life and was highly respected by the Epsom Racing Community for whom she worked tirelessly. Her bubbly, enthusiastic and infectious nature are sorely missed by a huge number of people and we would like to give our heartfelt condolences to her family, colleagues and her friends.
WENDY MURIEL ELIZABETH DAVIS – 1947 TO 2016
Wendy was a great friend of Sylvia Smallbone (see above), they were both members of Elite Racing and keen supporters. Together they joined in on numerous activities to support us. We miss Wendy’s enthusiasm and kindness but are very pleased to have been part of her life. Thank you.
HARRY BARKER
Although we did not know Harry personally his grand daughter, Amy, has set up a Just GivingPage in his memory dedicating funds raised to HEROS Charity. Harry was a lover of horses and got a lot of enjoyment from racehorses. Amy writes on her JustGiving Page:
“My beloved Grandad, Harry Barker, passed away on the 30th January 2016. Harry was a lover of horses and spent many years placing bets on the races as a firm hobby and also loved seeing and spending time with horses. In his memory, we would like to raise funds towards giving ex-racehorses a peaceful and wonderful life as a way of saying thank you for the joy they provided my Grandad throughout the years. We know he would love for them to be taken care of and treated well. Looking through the photographs of my Grandad, there are many of us together where we have visited horses and we have beautiful memories of days out and holidays where these wonderful animals have added to the joy we’ve experienced. As an animal lover myself it seems appropriate and right to give something back to the creatures that provided me and my Grandad with so much happiness.”
Thank you so much Amy and family. You are welcome to visit any time: http://www.justgiving.com/Amy-Stevenson3
KEITH GOSLING – 1933 TO 2016
We were sorry to hear of Keith’s passing, but so very grateful for the proceeds of a collection at his funeral in aid of HEROS Charity. His wife, Doreen writes the following:
“My husband was an avid race horsing man; he loved to study the paper every Saturday morning before going to the local betting shop to place his bets. He never put loads of money on but loved the thrill of then going home and watching them race on the TV. He used to be practically riding his horses on the home stretch and shouting and cheering them on. He loved all animals and had a big soft heart for them.”
Our condolences to all the family and a thank you to them and Keith’s friends for thinking of us at such a sad time.
RONALD WOOD
Donations raised in memory of my husband Ronald Wood who sadly passed away on 27th May; he was a devoted racing fan throughout his life. Keep up your amazing work, Best Wishes JW