A RESIDENT manager appointed to run the new Jack Berry House is returning to her home town.

Jo Russell, who is originally from Malton, will manage the £3.1million rehabilitation and fitness centre when it opens next spring.

Run by the Injured Jockey Fund, Jack Berry House, in Old Malton Road, will provide facilities for injured jockeys, similar to Oaksey House in Lambourn, which was opened by the charity’s Patron HRH The Princess Royal in 2009.

It will feature respite accommodation, the Reuben Foundation Rehabilitation Pool, a fitness centre, treatment rooms, plus amenity areas,and include a three bedroom site managers property.

Jo who is currently based in Lambourn as a key member of the Clive Cox racing team was born and bred in Malton.

She said: “This is a fantastic opportunity which to be honest I wasn’t even looking for until the advert appeared in the Racing Post.

"I have loved living in Lambourn and leaving the team at Clive’s will be incredibly difficult but it is just such a great chance to move back to my home town where my parents live and to be involved with the Injured Jockeys Fund in the new facility at Jack Berry House.”

Lisa Hancock, CEO of the Injured Jockeys Fund, said: “As you might expect we had some very strong applicants responding to our advert but Jo just appears to fit the bill in every respect.

"She knows the racing industry inside out, has contacts in the Malton area and her administrative and inter-personal skills are excellent.

Lisa added: "We anticipate the building works completing at the end of February 2015 and hence will shortly be advertising for a Fitness Manager who will work alongside Jo.

"The facilities available within Jack Berry House are really very exciting and it will be fantastic to be able to offer the northern racing community as much support as we can now do in Lambourn thanks to Oaksey House.”