Former opera singer turned trainer Heather Main “honoured” to sing the national anthem at Newbury

OPERA singer-turned trainer Heather Main will sing the national anthem at Newbury on Saturday.

The US native, who has performed solo at the Royal Albert Hall in the past, swapped the stage for the stables around 12 years ago.

She is known to sing to her horses at her Wantage yard, as she believes it keeps them relaxed.

She is enjoying her best ever season in terms of prize-money won, with over £225,000 already in the bag.

But before she saddles Marshal Dan later on the card, she will give her own rendition of God Save The King before the first race at 1pm.

Main told : “It was a great honour to be asked and I was very happy to accept.

“Her Majesty had a very special relationship with our sport as a breeder, owner and patron. 

"It just feels like there's a huge hole in the racing community without her.
“I had runners in the same race as her on several occasions, especially at Newbury, and it was always very special standing in the parade ring being so close to her. 

"She adored watching the horses and obviously knew so much about them."

She added: “I’ve always sung to my horses. It’s not a routine or a regime, just something I do from time to time.

“The travelling involved with training can be manic, so it’s also for my own therapy.

“I’ve never sung the national anthem in public before so the horses have heard it a few times this week.”

There will be tributes to the Queen around Newbury racecourse, a track she often visited in the spring.

There will also be a book of condolence for racegoers to sign, while there will be a minutes silence and a video remembering her life in racing played out over the big screens.