We are pleased to confirm the renaming of the Gosforth Park Cup on Friday 27 June in honour of former HBLB Chairman, Paul Darling OBE KC.
Having grown up in the North East, Paul Darling was a lifelong supporter of British horseracing, having enjoyed meetings at Newcastle, Hexham and Sedgefield Racecourses during his youth.
A prominent commercial barrister and King’s Counsel, Paul was a hugely popular and respected figure throughout British horseracing and betting. His passing in August 2024 was felt across the worlds of sport and law, Paul having also served as Chairman of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority.
The three-day Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Festival, will now feature The Paul Darling Gosforth Park Cup on the Friday evening fixture.
Greg Knight, Chief Executive of Jenningsbet said, “Paul’s love of racing, and of racing in the North East in particular, was well known. He contributed a vast amount to both the sport and the betting industry over the years and we are proud to see his name associated with The Gosforth Park Cup and with the Northumberland Plate Festival.”
Alan Delmonte, Chief Executive of HBLB said, “Paul is much missed by his colleagues and friends at the Levy Board and in racing, betting and further afield. He was devoted to the sport and to the North East. Renaming a race at this weekend’s famous Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Festival is a fitting tribute to him.”
