Aintree Racecourse will hold a two-minute silence as a mark of respect for the Duke of Edinburgh who died at the age of 99.
Jockeys for this afternoon’s racing will be invited to wear a black armband as a mark of respect when competing on the second day of racing at the 2021 Randox Grand National Meeting. Flags at the racecourse will also be flown at half mast throughout the day.
The Duke of Edinburgh has been an honorary member of the Jockey Club for over 73 years and he has accompanied Queen Elizabeth II to many of the premier horse racing events held in the UK, including the Royal Ascot meeting.
The live coverage on Day Two of the Grand National meeting has been switched from ITV to ITV4, the opening race scheduled to take place at 1:45pm.
Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, Sandy Dudgeon, said: “We received the news of The Duke of Edinburgh’s death with great sadness. On behalf of The Jockey Club, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, and all members of the Royal Family.”
A Royal Family statement read: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course.
“The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
The Duke of Edinburgh has had three different races named after him at Royal Ascot, the most of these being the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap which takes place at the royal meeting in June.
He presented his wife the Queen with a trophy when her horse won at the Royal Ascot meeting nine years ago.