THE restaurant at Hereford Racecourse is to be renamed in honour of county jockey Richard Johnson's first ever winner.

The Rusty Bridge was ridden by Johnson at the famous track in April 1994 and was owned by his mother Sue and grandfather Ivor.

The restaurant will undergo a full redecoration, which will include a timeline of Johnson's career and photographic and editorial tributes to his achievements.

The racecourse will officially reopen on Thursday, October 6 and county companies have been very strong in their support.

The Grandstand will be named after Hereford-based law firm Kidwells Solicitors and Cotswold Hereford MINI and BMW will provide all vehicles to the racecourse.

Chase Distillery, based in Preston Wynne, will provide premium spirits throughout the racecourse bars, while for the first meeting, their trademark Land Rover Defenders will be on course to allow racegoers to experience their range of speciality vodka and gin drinks.

Prior to the reopening, a major fundraising event will be held in aid of St Michael's Hospice on Thursday, September 29.

"A Celebration of the Return of National Hunt Racing to Hereford Racecourse" evening is being organised by racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght and invited guests to bring their own picnics and enjoy a champagne reception,

The evening will include insights and stories from some of the county's top racing figures, including Johnson and Peter Scudamore.

It is being hosted by racing broadcaster John Hunt.

“The response and support that we have had locally to the news that the racecourse is to reopen is superb," said Hereford Racecourse executive director Rebecca Davies.

"I would like to thank Kidwells Solicitors, Cotswold Hereford MINI and BMW and Chase Distillery for joining with us in what will be a very positive step for racing in Herefordshire and jump racing as a whole.

"Equally, we are delighted to welcome St Michael’s Hospice for the picnic fundraising event for what should be an excellent evening for a fantastic local charity.

“We are also honoured to open ‘The Rusty Bridge Restaurant’.

"We wanted to do something to recognise the enormous contribution that champion jockey Richard Johnson has made throughout his career to jump racing, especially given that Richard is Herefordshire born and bred and so well respected in the area.”

Johnson added: “Rusty Bridge is a very special horse to me and my family and I am very touched that Hereford Racecourse have chosen to celebrate him in this way.

"I rode my first winner there and always loved racing at Hereford.

"It is fantastic that the racecourse is reopening and I look forward to riding as many winners there as I can, starting on October 6."

Tickets for general admission and hospitality packages in the restaurant for each of the four fixtures in 2016 are available to purchase at hereford-racecourse.co.uk, while for more details about the St Michaels' Hospice event, call 01432 851000 or visit st-michaels-hospice.org.uk