TWO leading racing journalists of recent years will be remembered at Thirsk Racecourse with the unveiling of commemorative benches.

Ray Gilpin, the former Northern correspondent of the Racing Post and Tom O’Ryan, whose career took him from jockey to race-reader for Raceform to journalist for the Racing Post and latterly presenter for Racing UK, both made huge contributions to racing in the region.

Mr Gilpin, who died in 2015, was a popular figure on the racecourse and was a former vice-President of the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association as well as being the Northern chairman.

Mr O’Ryan, who died in 2016, had latterly been raceday presenter at York racecourse.

The benches will be unveiled outside the racecourse’s weighing room during Ladies Day on Saturday.