The name and a first look at designs of the Injured Jockeys Fund’s (IJF) new rehabilitation and fitness centre have been revealed.
The centre, to open at the British Racing School (BRS) in Newmarket in 2018, will be called Peter O’Sullevan House after the legendary “voice of racing” who died last year aged 97.
Sir Peter was a supporter of the IJF — H&H’s 2016 charity of the year — and a “substantial opening grant” was given to the project from The Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust.
This will take the number of IJF centres to three — the others being Oaksey House in Lambourn and Jack Berry House in Malton.
“We are extremely grateful to The Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust for their generous donation to this exciting project,” said IJF chief executive Lisa Hancock.
“The name Peter O’Sullevan House is a fitting tribute to one of racing’s most respected figures.
“It also sits extremely well alongside Lord Oaksey and Jack Berry, all three of them dedicated and passionate charity campaigners.”
Peter O’Sullevan House will have state-of-the-art rehabilitation and fitness facilities and will also house the IJF head office.
“We are determined to ensure that Peter’s name lives on in those areas he was so passionately committed to supporting,” said Nigel Payne on behalf of the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust trustees.
“When we were approached by the Injured Jockeys Fund we knew that here was a project which suited this objective perfectly.”
Work is set to begin on the new centre later this year.
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Grant Harris, CEO of the BRS, added the name is a “wonderful tribute to a true legend of our sport”.
“All involved in this project thank the charitable trust for its grant towards the building of what promises to be a fantastic asset to Newmarket,” said Mr Harris.
“The BRS is so proud to be part of this project. It will enhance the offering at the school by giving those attending courses the ability to use the state-of-the-art facilities at Peter O’Sullevan House.
“The synergy is obvious to all.”
