WILLIAM Derby, York Racecourse chief executive and clerk of the course, has been appointed clerk of the course for the Royal Ascot at York meeting from June 14-18.

"It's a huge honour to be clerk for the Royal meeting," he said. "The appointment was made in light of the fact that we at York know the ground and the job of clerk is concerned with the sporting side of the event, which is the racing itself."

The deputy clerk of the course for Royal Ascot at York will be James Hutchinson, who has considerable experience as clerk at Beverley and Ripon racecourses.

Derby became York racecourse chief executive in May 2002, having previously been commercial director at Ascot.

Updated: 10:27 Tuesday, April 26, 2005