Arthur Key

He was known to many people through his butchers shops in Knaresborough, as well as a delicatessen.

An astute businessman, his building career began when he bought a bungalow at Calcutt and a farmhouse on York Road.

He sold out to Wimpeys and began his own company, Dranmarth Properties, building bungalows in handcut stone at Little Ribston, Goldsborough, Ferrensby and Flaxby.

He was also a renowned thoroughbred racehorse trainer and breeder – his passion in life.

He lived with his wife Jean on Forest Moor Road, Knaresborough, and was able to breed the horses at Merryvale, his daughter Carrie-Anne's premises, where she trained his horses.

Of the horses he bred, the most famous is Mister McGoldrick – an eight-time winner at Wetherby and the 66-1 winner of the Racing Post Plate at the 2008 National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham. He was also a first Festival winner for showjumper Harvey Smith and his wife Sue, who train at Bingley.

Mr Key died on January 5. He is survived by his wife Jean, daughters Sandra, Carrie-Anne and Sarah Jane, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.