A TOP race will be held at York Racecourse next month in memory of Cathy Paver, a footwear retailer who died earlier this year.

The Catherine Kinloch Paver Memorial Macmillan Charity Stakes will honour the legacy of Cathy, who founded York-based Pavers in 1971 with a £200 loan and left behind an international business with 160 shops across three continents.

The race, which will be the richest handicap for three-year-olds in Europe and televised on ITV4, will form part of the Macmillan Charity Raceday on Saturday June 17.

York Press:

Beth Morgan-Henderson, head of brand and marketing at Pavers and a friend of Cathy’s, said: “Cathy loved racing and owned racehorses and this is a very appropriate way of remembering her and honouring her legacy in her home city.

“It is especially relevant because this race is the highlight of Macmillan Cancer Support’s charity day and Cathy herself died from this terrible disease.

“Some of the money raised on the day will go to York Against Cancer, our other charity partner.

“We all miss Cathy so much at Pavers, but we will be celebrating her life in style on June 17. We are looking forward to an unforgettable day, which I know she would have loved.”

She said she was also hoping that Kinloch Pride, which Cathy owned with her son Graham, would be running in another race on the same day.

“A decision will be made during the week before the race, but it would be truly wonderful if Kinloch Pride, a horse Cathy loved, ran and won. I don’t think there would be a dry eye amongst her family and friends.”

Racecourse spokesman James Brennan said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ a long-standing and successful York business, with deep roots in the city, was supporting the charity race day.

“The money raised from the day changes lives and we hope the day itself provides a positive way for people to fundraise while enjoying themselves,” he said.

“So far these race days at York have raised over £7,000,000 and each year adds about £400,000.”