A Sheriff Hutton man who has been at the centre of racing all his working life, has retired after more than 35 years in the sport.

Alan Amies, 54, the most respected race-reader in the sport, is leaving Raceform, the company he joined after leaving school.

Amies - or 'Double A' as he is affectionately known - is renowned among colleagues and trainers alike for his blunt comments.

"I'm going to miss some parts of it - but I certainly won't miss the travelling," he said.

"This is the main reason I'm packing in. I'm fed up with the driving. It seems like I've driven a million and a half miles in my time. I'm lucky to have escaped without having a serious accident."

The mark his retirement, Amies was presented with a set of golf clubs by his press room colleagues, including Evening Press tipster and Racing Post staff writer Tom O'Ryan, at Catterick's meeting this week.

The 2.10 race at Musselburgh this afternoon was called the Alan Amies Fond Farewell Novices' Hurdle to mark his retirement.

Amies said he will continue to be familiar figure at racecourses.