A GROUP of wealthy racegoers was targeted by thieves while staying at one of York’s top hotels.

A “substantial” amount of jewellery, thought to be worth tens of thousands of pounds, alongside cash and personal items, was stolen from guest rooms at the luxurious Middlethorpe Hall near York Racecourse.

Among the four victims of the theft were Derby-winning trainer Paul Cole and racehorse owner and bloodstock trader Bernard Gover.

The theft happened during the Dante race meeting at York Racecourse last week, as music magnate Chris Wright - whose protégés included Leo Sayer, Jethro Tull and Steeleye Span – was hosting dinner in a private room at the hotel on Wednesday evening for 20 guests he had invited to the meeting.

It was to have been a special day for the former owner of Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club and rugby club Wasps because his Gloucestershire-based Stratford Place Stud was sponsoring a race.

Lionel Chatard, manager of the hotel in Bishopthorpe Road, said he was “devastated” at the theft. “This has been very upsetting for us,” he said. “Our hotel has been open for 26 years and some of these guests have been staying with us for 20 of those years so we really considered them as friends.”

He said a substantial amount of jewellery, including earrings, rings, and wristwatches, had been taken from four rooms while the group – many of whom are jockey trainers and race horse owners – were having dinner.

One of the women guests, who had jewellery stolen, was also burgled at Cheltenham races recently, Mr Chatard said. “The police believe this theft was committed by a professional gang of burglars,” he said.

“We had 60 guests at the hotel and they will all be interviewed by police. We have also handed over our CCTV footage.

“We will be cooperating with the police as much as we can with their investigation.”

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police confirmed an investigation was under way.

“The theft was reported on May 13 after guests’ rooms were entered and high-value jewellery taken along with cash and other personal items. The thefts occurred the previous evening while the guests, believed to be staying in York for the races, were at dinner.”

Anyone with any information should phone York CID on 0845 6060247, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


A haunt of the famous

MIDDLETHORPE Hall is a frequent haunt of the rich and famous.

Film star Russell Crowe, Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow and members of the Royal Family are just some of the guests that have stayed at the luxurious hotel since it opened to the public 26 years ago.

Set in 20 acres of gardens and parkland and built in 1699, the house near York Racecourse was once home to renowned diarist Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, but became neglected after a decade as a nightclub before being bought and restored in 1980.

It was opened to the public in 1984 after a major restoration programme.