WILLIAM DERBY has a policy of looking forward rather than back. But, when the York Racecourse chief executive and clerk of the course reflects on ten years in the Knavesmire hot-seat, he concedes it has been a remarkable tenure.

Derby’s decade has brought many things – and not just the obvious successes of getting Royal Ascot to come to York and, most recently, enticing Sir Henry Cecil to bring Frankel to the Juddmonte International.

From the opening of the Ebor Stand in 2003, to the submission of the planning application that will see a significant overhaul of the northern end of the racecourse in the next couple of years, it has been an eventful time.

“It has been a hugely busy ten years,” Derby said.

“I don’t think we could have predicted how busy and exciting it would be and how much has happened during the period.

“We have created new racedays, like the Music Showcase weekend, and developed the Sunday raceday with The Press.

“We have seen some great racing and, hopefully, people have enjoyed racing here over the last ten years.”

Derby actually arrived at York in the spring of 2002, but shadowed the outgoing clerk of the course, John Smith, for a season after leaving a job as commercial director at Ascot. He took charge of his first meeting in May the following year.

The opening of the Ebor Stand, the £20 million structure that also celebrates its tenth birthday this year, was his immediate priority but another huge project soon headed into view.

With Ascot about to undergo a massive multi-million pound redevelopment, a host for the Royal Meeting – the five-day festival of top-class racing and pageantry that dominates the summer on the Flat – would ultimately be needed.

But it was not on the horizon when Derby first arrived in York.

“I don’t think anyone could have predicted that,” he said. “Royal Ascot wasn’t on the cards when I left. They could have raced through their redevelopment.”

They didn’t, and the relocation brought permanent benefits for the track.

A new north bend was constructed, creating a continuous circuit for the first time, and, after Royal Ascot was successfully staged in 2005, the Ladbrokes St Leger followed the next year as the Town Moor course went through its own reconstruction.

A track project, accelerated but not influenced by the washout of the Ebor Festival in 2008, saw £2.5 million spent on ensuring York were better equipped to handle the weather, while 2010 saw the refurbishment of the Melrose Stand.

Seemingly in the frame every year for a host of awards, from tourism, catering and racing bodies among many, it has also been a glittering period with Derby at the helm.

And, with the Juddmonte International having been rated the second best race in the world last year, and with the track increasing prize money across its 17-day card in 2013 by an average nine per cent, Derby is confident the next decade will bring many more accolades for his team.

“It has been exciting and a huge team effort from everyone connected to the racecourse,” he said.

“York has a very long history and we have added a small chapter to that.

“It will be going long after we have all gone and it has just been a privilege and an honour to be a part of that history.

“Everyone looks forward to building on what we have done in the past. The board, myself, and the team plan to keep improving and ensuring that the next generation of Frankels race at York.”