John Ayres - an industry Champion
Wednesday 26 June 2013
John Ayres, co-founder and chairman of Finest Brands International and Champion Manufacturing Ltd, passed away on the morning of the 4th of June, following a courageous battle with cancer.
John was a true gentleman that was loved by many, respected by all and his death is an enormous loss to the equestrian industry and wider community. John was an entrepreneur, leaving behind a portfolio of successful businesses, including the iconic Toggi clothing brand and Champion Manufacturing – a company dedicated to rider safety.
Born on the 15th of October 1952, John was a Cardiff man born and bred. His knowledge of and passion for horses was immense, his love of racing and equestrian sports and genuine affection for the animals themselves was at the heart of everything he did.
Few individuals have made more of a contribution to the equestrian industry than John. Together with his wife Bridget, they started their very first mail order saddlery business from home over 40 years ago and have since set up a number of equine based businesses, with their love of riding and concern for safety leading to the creation of Champion. Dedicated to supporting British manufacturing and with an unfaltering and continual pursuit of quality, through the Champion brand John has been a driving force in the design and development of protective riding wear for over three decades. Under his stewardship, Finest Brands International has grown into one of the most respected organisations in the industry, with the Toggi and Champion brands now recognised as household names in equestrian circles.
Through Toggi and Champion, John has been a dedicated supporter of equestrian talent, supporting many riders individually – from Olympians to grass roots riders, whilst also providing much needed support to riding organisations, including British Showjumping. Champion was a key sponsor of the British Nations Cup Showjumping teams for a number of years and is currently a supporter of the Fairfax British Showjumping Youth Teams.
John loved what he did and remained in work throughout his cancer treatment, working until the day before he passed away. A genuine ‘people person’, John always put his family, friends and the many people that worked for him first and he will be desperately missed by all those that had the pleasure to know him.
A memorial service was held for John on Friday the 21st June at Chepstow race course, the perfect location for a fitting tribute to John and his life-long love of racing. The many hundreds of people who turned out in celebration of his life was testimony to the fact that he touched so many hearts, in all corners of the world. What was undoubtedly an incredibly sad day was turned into a celebration of the life of a man loved by many, respected by all and whose premature death is an enormous loss to the equestrian industry, his family and all those who knew him.
His legacy will live on.
John was a fantastically generous man and always put the needs of others before his own. He was a dedicated supporter of a number of worthy causes and charities and in lieu of flowers John and his family requested that donations be made instead to two charities particularly close to their hearts: The Injured Jockeys Fund and Tenovus Cancer Charity. To support either of these causes simply go to http://www.justgiving.com/teams/in-memory-of-john-ayres
Picture caption: One of many wins for Victory Gunner, pictured here after winning the Evening Post Handicap Chase for owner John Ayres at Chepstow in January, 2008. From left are jockey Lee Stephens, head lass Lisa Mason, John, Bridget (John’s wife), Charlotte (John’s daughter) and her husband Nick Jeremiah.
Photo www.thejockey.co.uk
.JPG "Sophia Rogers makes a winning return and Rachel Proudley claims a championship double at Pony of the Year Show")
