OBITUARIES

ANN POTTS

THE highly successful National Hunt owner has died aged 69 after a long illness.

Among Ann and her husband Alan’s top horses was this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Sizing John.

“Ann and Alan Potts created their empire together and

Ann was an absolute pleasure to talk to,” said trainer Colin Tizzard, with whom the Potts had 15 horses, including the successful chaser Fox Norton.

“Ann was a beautiful person and l so enjoyed her company,” added bloodstock agent Tom Malone. “She and Alan were a great team and I will always remember her fondly.”

RW F POOLE MBE

WILLY Poole died on 18 August at the age of 76.

He was a master and huntsman for 21 seasons in countries as far afield as Dartmoor and Northumberland. His mastership of the Sinnington in North Yorkshire was probably the height of his hunting career.

He wrote several books and was a regular contributor to Horse & Hound, Shooting Times, The

Daily Telegraph and a number of other publications.

“A larger than life character in every sense of the word who could never be described as politically correct, he was a fine huntsman and a talented writer,” said friend and huntsman Alastair Jackson.

Willy leaves behind his wife Sue and son Martin.