The British horseracing community is in mourning following the death of Sir Johnny Weatherby, a pivotal and revered administrator who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s personal Representative at Royal Ascot. He was 66.
As a mark of respect, jockeys at Ascot raced wearing black armbands, honoring a man considered an immense presence within the sport. Sir Johnny’s legacy is deeply embedded in both the grand traditions and the operational fabric of UK racing.
Knighted in 2020 for his services, he was the calm, authoritative figure overseeing the Royal Enclosure from 2011 to 2020. In this role, he discreetly managed some of the most iconic moments on the British sporting and social calendar.
However, his influence extended far beyond ceremony. A seventh-generation member of the Weatherby dynasty—a family integral to racing administration for over 250 years—Sir Johnny was a modernizing force. He joined the family firm, Weatherbys, in 1979 and became its Chairman in 1993, steering the organization with notable energy and foresight.
Colleagues remember him for his encyclopedic knowledge, profound love for the sport, and the significant void his passing leaves in the heart of the racing world.
