CHARLIE Parker is the president of the Racehorse Owners Association in Britain, a role his late father Sir Eric held at the turn of the millennium. He has other involvements in the sport of racing and the breeding business, owning Wellsummers Stud near Marlborough in Wiltshire and Windsor House Stables in Lambourn, the base for trainer Roger Teal and former home of Peter Walwyn.

Parker operates under the umbrella of Crimbourne Bloodstock, retaining a strong connection with the past as his father operated Crimbourne Stud in West Sussex and it was there that he bred the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Havana Gold, now a Tweenhills Stud stallion. Some 30 years ago next spring will also be the anniversary of Sir Eric’s victory, as an owner, in the Grand National at Aintree with the New Zealand-bred Seagram. Crimbourne Stud was sold following Sir Eric’s death in 2014.