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Following nine years as Her Majesty’s Representative at Ascot, Johnny Weatherby will stand down from the post after Royal Ascot, which concludes on Saturday, 20th June, 2020.
Her Majesty The Queen has appointed Sir Francis Brooke Bt, who has been a Trustee since 2011 and Chairman of Ascot Authority (Holdings) Ltd since 2018, as the sixth person to hold the position during her reign.
Francis Brooke paid tribute to Johnny Weatherby:
"Johnny has made an immense contribution to Ascot since his appointment as a Trustee in 1997.
"He was Chairman of the Board from 2008 to 2018 and succeeded the Duke of Devonshire as Her Majesty's Representative at Ascot in 2011. Johnny's total commitment to Ascot Racecourse and its success has been evident to all who know him. It is a great honour to be asked to succeed him as Her Majesty's Representative."
Johnny Weatherby reflected on his 23 years at Ascot:
"I would like to thank my fellow Trustees past and present, the Directors and all the team at Ascot for making my time at this wonderful racecourse so memorable.
"It has been a privilege to hold this very special position which has given me so many amazing memories, including of course that very special day in 2013 when Her Majesty's Estimate won the Gold Cup at the Royal Meeting.
"I look forward to maintaining my links with the racecourse – not least through Weatherbys which celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.
"I am delighted that Francis, who succeeded me as Chairman two years ago, has been appointed to the post and wish him and the team the very best for the future. In the meantime, I am much looking forward to my final renewal of Royal Ascot as Her Majesty's Representative in June."
The Ascot Authority, comprising three Trustees, was established by Act Of Parliament in 1913 and oversees the running of the racecourse, including the extended Ascot Authority (Holdings) Limited Board, on behalf of The Queen.
Johnny Weatherby will also stand down as a Trustee of the Ascot Authority in June. Her Majesty has appointed Lady Celina Carter, who brings an extensive portfolio of experience within the racing industry to the role, as his successor.
Celina Carter has been involved in racing since the early 1990s, including in various bloodstock roles. For nearly 20 years, she was a racecourse Steward at Ascot, Kempton, Lingfield, Newbury, Sandown, Windsor and York. She was on the Disciplinary Panel of the BHA until 2017, is a trustee of Racing Welfare and is a member of the Jockey Club. Her family has a rich history of involvement in racing through ownership, breeding and administration - including most famously her father, the Duke of Devonshire, a former Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, the first Chairman of the British Horseracing Board and Her Majesty's Representative at Ascot from 1997 to 2011.
Celina Carter said:
"I am thrilled and honoured to have been appointed as a Trustee of the Ascot Authority. I look forward to working with my fellow Trustees, the Board and all the Ascot team."
Francis Brooke added:
"We very much look forward to welcoming Celina, who was a much respected BHA Steward and brings a wealth of industry experience and knowledge to Ascot."
