SIR HENRY CECIL is to be permanently remembered at York Racecourse with a set of wrought iron gates.

The memorial will stand close to the track’s owners and trainers entrance from the start of next season and will carry his initials, HRAC, as well as a Yorkshire rose.

Designed by project architect, Brendan Phelan, and created by Don Barker, a celebrated Yorkshire blacksmith, the gates will form part of the £10 million Northern End Development that is transforming this section of the racecourse for horses, horsemen and racegoers.

York chiefs hope the gates will become a favoured spot for racegoers to take pictures.

Lord Grimthorpe, York Racecourse chairman, said: “The crowd at York loved Sir Henry dearly and we always sensed that it was reciprocated, so we are delighted to have commissioned a permanent way of remembering those visits.”

Cecil’s widow, Lady Jane Cecil, said: “Henry loved racing at York and enjoyed many great days at the course - not least when Frankel won the Juddmonte International.

“It is lovely that York Racecourse is celebrating his career with the Sir Henry Cecil gates, a tribute that will be seen by race-goers for generations to come.

“The plans look great and it is amazing to think that the same blacksmith who works on York Minster has created Henry’s gates.”