PAUL Barber is perhaps best known as the owner of racehorse Denman, the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2008 as well as two Hennessy Gold Cups at Newbury, but he is also one of the directors at Taunton Racecourse.

Barber, who is also a cheese farmer at Ditcheat and the landlord of National Hunt champion trainer Paul Nicholls, has an association of over with 25 years England’s youngest jumps course.

He said: “I have been coming to Taunton Racecourse for a very long time and then about 15 years ago I was asked to join the board, which was a great privilege for me and I have enjoyed every minute of it since.”

Talking about some of the highlights during his time on the board, Barber said: “I think that the building of the new Paddock Stand which was extended over the summer is the one that really stands out for me.

“We have also added 17 new boxes in the bottom stand which have been successful.”

Barber is also very much hands on and can often be seen walking the course on non racedays and has played his part in the changes that have taken place on the track.

He added: “I also have quite a bit to do with the course itself and we have been able to carry out a number of improvements thanks to the hard work of head groundsman Kevin Counsell and his team.

“I have really enjoyed being involved with that and seeing how these have improved racing at Taunton.”

Asked why he thought that the Orchard Portman course was so popular, Barber said: “Taunton is a friendly course and people enjoy coming here whether they are owners, trainers or racegoers.

“We are not the greatest course in the world by any means but we all enjoy it and enjoy looking after it and people want to come there.”