Horse trainer and businessman John Wade dies

Former horse trainer and Teesside businessman John Wade has died aged 80

Tributes have been paid to former horse trainer and businessman John Wade, who has died aged 80.

Mr Wade trained more than 200 winners from his stables in County Durham, before he retired from horse racing in 2016.

He was also known as the head of the John Wade Group, which acquired Newton Aycliffe Quarry in the 1970s and operated the site until the company was sold last year.

Fellow trainer Rebecca Menzies, who was mentored by Mr Wade, described him as an "inspiration".

"It is with great sadness and shock that we share the news that John Wade passed away overnight," she said in a statement on Wednesday.

"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."

Trainer Rebecca Menzies surprised Mr Wade by holding a race in his honour at Downpatrick Racecourse, County Down, last week

Menzies moved her training facilities to Mr Wade's Howe Hills stables a few miles from Sedgefield racecourse, in 2016.

She said he and his "lifelong friend" Maria D Myco had been "instrumental in the success" her racing club had enjoyed since moving to the stables.

Earlier this month, Menzies surprised Mr Wade by sending a small team of runners to Downpatrick racecourse, County Down, and sponsored a race in his honour.

She said: "We are so grateful that we enjoyed a very special day 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."