Racing world pays tribute to Richards

RACING PAID tribute yesterday to Gordon Richards, the top jumps trainer who died last week aged 68. About 600 people packed the Church of St Andrew after the cortege made its way through the tiny village of Greystoke, near Penrith.

Leading the way in front of the hearse was Richards's former stable jockey Ron Barry on the grey Better Times Ahead, a multiple winner for the yard.

John Budden, the broadcaster, told the congregation that Richards was a man who loved his horses and whose horses did him proud. "He insisted that the job be done his way and would never be compromised. However, he was a man who worked harder than anyone to achieve these aims."

After the service, fellow trainer Kim Bailey, who arrived by helicopter with David Nicholson and Oliver Sherwood, said: "Gordon will be sorely missed - he was hugely respected."

They were joined by many jockeys, including Richard Dunwoody, and trainers, including Toby Balding, Howard Johnson, Ginger McCain, Peter Beaumont, Mary Reveley, Jack Berry and Jimmy FitzGerald.