Britain's Prince Andrew has become the first patron of York Racecourse.
Prince Andrew
Lord Grimthorpe, the course's chairman has said on behalf of the York Race Committee and himself that they were "absolutely delighted" Andrew had agreed to support them and he believes with the help of the Duke of York they will be able to continue to "improve" one of the world's most advanced courses.
He told York Press: "He will be a wonderful ambassador for the racecourse and we hope, with his help, York will continue to improve as one of the world's leading racecourses."
The news comes as Prince Andrew was a guest at the racecourse in North Yorkshire to officially open the newly installed Weighing Room back in May part of a million-pound improvement project.
Andrew has a long history with the racecourse and when he was Yorkshire Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief the Prince took part in the homecoming for soldiers who came back from service in 2012, where he was invited to the Knavesmire for a ceremony.
Speaking at the homecoming event Andrew previously told guests what he thought is the "most significant" aspect of a soldier's duty.
He said: "The most significant thing I have noticed, for the very first time this is about what the soldier does and how the soldier has done it over a number of centuries."
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