It’s a solemn day on the Turf as the racing world mourns the loss of Sir Johnny Weatherby, the legendary figure who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s trusted representative at Royal Ascot and helped shape British horseracing for decades.
He has died aged 66, leaving a huge gap in the heart and saddling area of the sport.
At Ascot today, jockeys wore black armbands in tribute to “an immense presence in the sport,” while friends, family and racing fans paid tribute to a man whose legacy is woven into both the ceremonial pageantry and the day to day heartbeat of British racing.
Sir Johnny, knighted in 2020 for his impeccable service, was a familiar sight in the Royal Enclosure, known for his impeccable turnout, calm authority and encyclopaedic knowledge of racing tradition.
