Nicholas Wrigley is new Aintree chairman

Former Jockey Club senior steward replaces the late Rose Paterson.

Nicholas Wrigley is to succeed the late Rose Paterson as chairman of Aintree racecourse.

Wrigley has paid tribute to his predecessor, who died earlier this year.

“I would like to start by paying tribute to Rose, who displayed such outstanding leadership and passion during her tenure as chairman of Aintree racecourse,” he said.

“It was a great honour to serve on the Aintree committee with Rose as she showed huge enthusiasm and commitment to Aintree and the community.”

Wrigley is looking forward to being at the helm for the 2021 Grand National, after this year’s renewal was lost to the coronavirus pandemic.

He added: “The Randox Health Grand National is the greatest jump race in the world, and I look forward to supporting the Jockey Club team at Aintree to deliver a thrilling three-day festival in April 2021 and build on the outstanding work that has been achieved with the local and racing communities.”

Wrigley was the senior steward of the Jockey Club, which runs Aintree, between 2009 and 2014 – having been appointed a Jockey Club member in 1994.

Since 2019, he has been chairman of the National Stud in Newmarket, which is also owned by the Jockey Club.

Wrigley has been on the York Race Committee since 1992, serving as chairman from 2005 to 2011, and is a director at Pontefract. He is also an active racehorse owner and breeder, with involvement in both Flat and jump racing.

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