A horse racing fan from Welwyn Garden City who passed away last year has been honoured with a sponsored race at Huntingdon Racecourse.

Keith Sherwood died at the age of 64 on October 1, and his life was commemorated when more than 60 family and friends travelled to Cambridgeshire for the event.

The day started at his local pub, The Hollybush, where a plaque was unveiled, before the group made their way to Huntingdon for the Keith Sherwood "Oi Oi Gentle" Memorial Handicap Chase.

The seven furlong race was won by Sarah Humphrey-trained Le Tueur, with the winner presented with their prizes by members of Keith's family.

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"This was pretty much his closest track and he was a frequent visitor. He would have loved this. He was a gentle giant, that was his personality. Everyone here has been wonderful," said Karen Arnold, Keith’s sister.

"It was Steve Langbridge, who was one of his best friends, that came up with the idea at his wake. He thought it was appropriate because of his love of racing.

"Our family feel sponsoring a race in Keith’s memory is just a small way we can celebrate his life and it is something he would have appreciated.

"This sport brought so much happiness to Keith so we thought it was the perfect idea."

Karen revealed that friends and family will continue to honour Keith's memory by visiting three racetracks to complete his challenge of visit all 59 racecourses in Britain, something he was close to completing before his death.

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"Huntingdon was probably his nearest course and he was a frequent visitor, but his goal was to reach every track in Britain," she said.

"He loved the differences at each track and what the surrounding area had to offer, and he always enjoyed talking with the local racegoers over a pint.

“He only had three more courses to complete going to every track in Britain. They were Exeter, Newton Abbot and Taunton and we will be going to those in his honour.”