Racing: Hunting fall kills Parrett

JOHN PARRETT, managing director and clerk of the course at Aintree, died yesterday in an accident when riding with the Wynstay Hunt in Cheshire. Parrett, 45, died instantly when falling from his horse. He leaves a wife and two children.

A keen rider in amateur and point-to-point races in the 1970s, he played a big part in the development of Aintree, the home of the Grand National. Originally appointed secretary at the course in 1983, he succeeded the late John Hughes as clerk of the course. Parrett was a pioneer in attracting the Grand National sponsors Seagram in 1984 and Martell when they took over sponsorship for the first time this year.