Ben Cox, the Racenews Manager, was born in Hastings and spent his formative years in Northumberland, Suffolk and Norfolk. He joined Racenews in 2000, after studying law at the University of North London and Inns Of Court School of Law.

His interest in racing was sparked at an early age, with his father Brian having worked for the Northumberland trainer George Fairbairn and also at the Egerton Stud in Newmarket, while his late uncle David worked on The

Sporting Life for many years.

It was around 1986 that Ben first remembers being interested in racing - he recalls rushing home from school to see Dawn Run's famous victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The first winning bet he can remember placing was 50 pence on the 16/1 shot Aonoch in the Mecca Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Sandown that year.

These days he enjoys all aspects of the sport although his first love is National Hunt racing. His all-time favourite horse is Wayward Lad. Outside of racing Ben's main interests are film, theatre, literature and travel, particularly to the Middle East.