The current head of security at the Jockey Club, is a former SAS man with vast military experience.

Major General Jeremy Phipps has been working with the Jockey Club since September 2001, and was officially appointed to the role in February 2002.

The 60-year-old retired from the army in 1997 at the rank of Major General, having served in the forces for 37 years with the Queen's Own Hussars and the SAS.

In fact, Jeremy Phipps was in the SAS during the Iranian Embassy Siege.

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From 1989-1993, he was also the Director of UK Special Forces, taking overall responsibility for their strategic and operational direction.

He has also worked as a senior military advisor to the Sultanate of Oman, and has been described by former colleagues as "a serious soldier" and "a proper guy".

Before joining the Jockey Club, Jeremy Phipps was a Director at the security specialist firm Control Risks Group.

It was through this link that Phipps got involved with the Jockey Club as the company was drafted in to carry out a review of the security department in September 2001.

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The former SAS man was at first seconded into the post vacated by Roger Buffham, but was given a full-time three year contract five months later.

He has admitted that he knew very little about betting when he started the job, but says he has learned quickly.

One of Jeremy Phipps first actions came in March 2002, when he oversaw a drugs drive in which several horses were randomly tested for the substance EPO.

No horses returned positive tests.