Tributes paid to popular and inspirational figure at Beverley Racecourse
EMOTIONAL tributes have been paid to an “inspirational” Beverley Racecourse stalwart.
John Cleverly died on Thursday at the age of 86 after decades playing a central role in the popular Westwood venue.
Mr Cleverly, who was a popular figure across racing in the north of England, even had a bar named after him at Beverley Racecourse for his integral role in the business.
His influence and love of horse racing “will never be forgotten”, according to course chief executive Sally Iggulden who shared her own personal tribute.
He was the clerk of the course and racecourse manager between 1973 and 2000, but continued as a director right through until 2014 when he was succeeded by his daughter. He went on to be named as Beverley’s patron.
He also worked as a steward and assisted at other tracks, as well as organising the popular Middleton Hunt Point-to-point near York.
Paying tribute, Sally Iggulden said: “Everyone at Beverley is deeply saddened by the news of John’s passing.
“He was an incredibly kind mind – he found it tough, for instance, handing out punishments to the young jockeys in his time as a steward – and always acted in the selfless best interests of the racecourse.
“His long-standing the track will never influence at be forgotten, nor, too, will his love of horse racing and the precise logistics of the sport – with race-planning a personal favourite of his.
“John relished his position as Beverley patron, but as a selfeffacing gentleman, he was at first sceptical about having a racecourse bar named in his honour.
“Happily, though, he soon took deep pride in Cleverly’s Bar & Bistro and kept the management on their toes if ever anything was not quite as it should be.”
Away from racing, he was a chartered surveyor by trade looking after several estates in East Yorkshire, while also being on the board of the Racecourse Association.
He was a keen point-to-point jockey in his youth, he also enjoyed considerable success in ownership, having taken out shares n horses with Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby.
“In his chartered surveyor role, his long-standing secretary Carole Southwick juggled rent reviews and prize-money allocations from their small office by North Bar in Beverley, where he was always surrounded by his adored labradors.
“Indeed, it was until very recent times that John would commonly be seen on the racecourse with his dogs, checking that his hallowed turf passed muster.
“He was a truly inspirational man and will be much missed by everyone at Beverley Racecourse.
“Our thoughts at this time go out to his beloved family.”
John Cleverly is survived by his wife, Ann, and his three children, Bridget, David and Simon.