NICK Cheyne is to join the York Race Committee, the body that oversees operations at York racecourse.

Cheyne is a former clerk of the course at Ascot and Sandown and is currently on the board of Warwick racecourse and a partner at Weatherbys Hamilton.

He began his involvement in racing as assistant trainer to James Toller in Newmarket.

Lord Grimthorpe, chairman of the YRC, announced the appointment, saying: "Nick’s energy, experience, and insight will be valuable as we strive to make York the best place to bring a horse and to come racing.”

Cheyne said: “It is an honour to have been asked as York has long been one of my very favourite tracks. I consider that it is about building on the excellent work of my fellow members, in the development of the racing programme, facilities and experience of going racing at York”.

He joins Lord Grimthorpe, Nicholas Wrigley, William Bethell, Bridget Guerin and Christopher Denny on the committee.