Sally Bethell, an owner-breeder and wife of trainer James Bethell, has been elected to join the ROA Council while Professor David Silk takes the other spare seat having been re-elected after serving a term on the council from 2006.

Both have been racehorse owners for 25 years and Silk, a professor of clinical nutrition at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, is also Chairman of the BHA’s medical appeals committee.

“I would like to offer my congratulations to the two successful candidates,” said ROA President Rachel Hood at Tuesday’s annual general meeting.

“I warmly welcome Sally Bethell to the council for the first time and it is pleasing that we now have another northern-based member on board. Professor David Silk has provided invaluable expertise to the ROA over the last eight years and I look forward to his continuing presence on the council.”