Memorial plaque for the Angel of Lambourn

Doreen Rackham is honoured by racing community she loved so wel

AROUND 150 people turned out on a sunny but windy Sunday for a poignant ceremony honouring Doreen Rackham, dubbed the ‘Angel of Lambourn.'

They were welcomed by former jockey and racing pundit Richard Pitman, who also composed and read a moving poem in tribute to Mrs Rackham.

The crowd looked on as her ashes were placed at Long Gallops, by a specially planted tree and headstone.

Mrs Rackham lost her battle with cancer on August 25 and the great and the good of the racing world packed St Michael and All Angels Church in Lambourn for her funeral.

Among the hundreds of mourners were champion jump jockey AP McCoy and top trainers Nicky Henderson, Oliver Sherwood, Peter Toole, Kim Bailey and the recently-retired Barry Hills.

The eulogy was read by former National Hunt jockey and author John Francome.

Mrs Rackham was dubbed the Angel of Lambourn following her prize at the inaugural Pride of Racing awards in 2005.

At Long Gallop on Sunday, everyone read aloud a poem composed by joint manager of the Injured Jockeys Fund's Oaksey House, Jackie Porter, titled A Peek Into Heaven.

Jockeys including Gerald Tumelty, Peter Toole, David Crosses, Alan Daly, Sam Jones and Ben French Davis helped to plant the tree, a copper beech donated by Lady Eliza Mays-Smith.

A stone plaque, donated by the Jockey Club which reads ‘Doreen, Angel of Lambourn RIP,' was set at the base of the tree.

Oaksey House joint manager John Porter said: “It's been carefully positioned so that all the boys who go past on the gallop can see it and think of her. She was our Angel of Lambourn - more than 600 people attended her funeral, which is pretty remarkable for a former post lady.

“She was a friend to us all and we thought this would be a fitting tribute to her.”

Mr Pittard's affectionate ‘Ode to Auld Dor' recalled her “enormous heart,” her legendary cake-baking and her countless kindnesses towards lonely or troubled souls in the racing industry.

It added: “But as we scatter your ashes, Auld Dor, at the start of The Long, it's not a bad draw - we'll salute you whenever we canter past; Doreen Rackham - your memory will last.”