TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known figure in the equestrian world and former National Hunt steward.

Ridley Lamb, passed away at his home in Osmotherley, North Yorkshire, just short of his 90th birthday.

Mr Lamb had been a National Hunt steward for more than 30 years until he retired when he reached 70. But he was also well-known for being responsible for a Grand National winner, after passing on one of his horses – Teal – to trainer Neville Crump in 1951. The following year the horse went on to win the Grand National.

Mr Lamb’s daughter, Peta Evetts has followed in her father’s footsteps and has stewarded for more than 20 years.

His widow, June Lamb, 90, said: “I talked to (racehorse trainer) Jack Berry, who was a great friend and he said Ridley as a steward was a very fair man and always dealt with problems on the day when he was in charge. He was a very well-liked.

“He was thrilled to bits when Peta was chosen to be the Cheltenham steward. He first taught her everything she knew – she had to follow him.”

Mr Lamb grew up at Low Farm in Ingleby Barwick and started point-to-point racing when he was aged 20.

He moved his family to Osmotherley in 1969 and the farm where he was born is now a pub named the Teal Arms in honour of the winning horse.

Mrs Lamb said: “Ridley was an amateur rider – a farmer – but everyone knew him because he was fairly good in his day.”

He was a keen huntsman and regularly joined the Cleveland, Zetland and Bedale hunts. He also rode many point-to-point winners for other people. But he was most well-known because of Teal and as a steward. He was a happy person to be around - a man who believed in kicking on in life.”

Mr Lamb’s funeral was held at St Peter’s Church in Osmotherley on Thursday, April 21.