Menzies hails ‘inspirational’ John Wade

Rebecca Menzies has paid a heartfelt tribute to her landlord and mentor John Wade after the former trainer died at the age of 80.

Wade saddled over 200 winners from his County Durham base before retiring in 2016. He enjoyed notable success in the 2011 Grimthorpe Chase with Always Right, who went on to finish third in that year’s Scottish Grand National.

Menzies, who became Britain’s youngest trainer in 2013 aged just 24 after taking over the reins at the Brandsby yard of Gold Cup-winning trainer Peter Beaumont, made the move to Wade’s Howe Hills stables three years later and recently sent out the 400th winner of her burgeoning career.

Earlier this month Menzies surprised Wade by sending a small team of runners to Downpatrick and sponsored a race in his honour, and the plan came to fruition, with Wade on hand to see Edgewell carry his silks to victory in the Rebecca Menzies Racing 40 Winners And Counting For John Wade Handicap Chase.

Edgewell’s success was the second leg of a double on the card for the team, with Boomslang earlier making a successful debut over fences for Wade’s close friend Maria D Myco.

Menzies said in a statement: “It is with great sadness and shock that we share the news that John Wade passed away overnight.

“John meant and will always mean so much to us, not only as our landlord but as an owner, our biggest supporter, our inspiration in so many ways and most importantly our friend. Along with his lifelong friend Maria, they both have been instrumental in the success we have enjoyed and shared as a team since we came to Howe Hills many years ago.

“Our lives are stronger and better by knowing John and his presence will live on with us for the future as we continue to work hard, to gain more success in the sport that he loved.

“We are so grateful that we enjoyed a very special day at Downpatrick last week, with both John and Maria enjoying a winner each in their own colours. John said it was a fantastic day and the best he could of hoped for and we say back, it was the least we could do for you.

“John knows we will uphold his standards and integrity as we look forward to many more years at Howe Hills with success and a performance he would be proud of. We know without him we wouldn’t be where we are now and he will be sorely missed.”