Lord Zetland, described by the team at Redcar Racecourse as “one of the most important figures in the history of the course”, died on Saturday at his home in North Yorkshire. He was 88.
Lawrence Mark Dundas – the fourth Marquess of Zetland – succeeded his father, Lawrie, as chairman and managing director at Redcar in 1981. He went on to spend the better part of four decades at the helm, before stepping down from the role of chairman at the end of the 2018 season.
Lord Zetland is perhaps best remembered for introducing the Two-Year-Old Trophy in 1989. It remains Redcar's richest race, while the Zetland Gold Cup, first run in 1950, continues to be another highlight of the racing year at the seaside track.
In an interview marking the 150th anniversary of Redcar Racecourse, in 2022, Lord Zetland said, “I had no real interest in racing, but I wanted to do my best to maintain the family tradition, so I learned quickly. Over time, I developed a love of horse racing, and I'm immensely proud of the part successive members of my family have played in the development of Redcar over such a long time.”
Lord Zetland, a graduate of Christ's College, Cambridge, was also a founding director of the British Horseracing Board and a former chair of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. His title now passes to his son, the Earl of Ronaldshay.
Redcar's general manager Amy Fair added, “We owe our richest race, The Two-Year-Old Trophy, to his vision, and he was a real gentleman who never said 'no' to anything that was in the interests of racegoers.
“He always stopped for a chat – whether it was owners, trainers, jockeys, or punters having a cuppa in the café in the Course Enclosure. We owe him so much and he will be greatly missed.”
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