Ascot's director of racing and public affairs, Nick Smith, has been named to the New Year's Honours list.
Smith, who started at Ascot in 2000, was made a lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, which rewards personal service to the monarch and their household. In 2023, King Charles III and Queen Camilla celebrated their first Royal Ascot winner with Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who would subsequently be Classic placed in the G1 St Leger. Other highlights of Ascot's year include Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB})'s battle in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S., and Frankie Dettori's Royal Ascot resurgence aboard G1 Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) among others.
Smith said, “I'm obviously absolutely delighted and honoured. It's been a fantastic journey working for Ascot for so long and it's nice to have it recognised.
“It's been a brilliant year at the racecourse with the King and Queen having a winner, Frankie Dettori lighting up Royal Ascot this year, a vintage King George and full fields for the Shergar Cup, so we really couldn't ask for much more.”
Smith added, “We're just about to start our overseas campaign in Australia, Japan, the United States and suchlike, looking for those horses to populate the Royal meeting. That will all start in earnest and hopefully build up to another fantastic meeting in June.”
Smith was not the only racing industry figure to be honoured, with the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA)'s Julian Richmond-Watson receiving an OBE. Richard Linley was recognised with an MBE. Linley was the former British Horseracing Authority (BHA) senior inspector of courses.
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