Grace Muir, founder and CEO of HEROS Charity, received her MBE from Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal at St James's Palace on Thursday, January 29.
Muir was recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List and appointed an MBE in June last year, having devoted her life to retraining and rehoming former racehorses and providing educational opportunities for young people.
HEROS first achieved official charity status in 2006, before Muir – with support from The Racing Foundation – founded HEROS Education in 2015. HEROS Education aims to provide a safe, nurturing environment for young people who, for a variety of reasons, struggle within traditional learning settings.
“This is the biggest honour of my life,” said Muir, who was accompanied at St James's Palace by her husband Michael West, sister Anne Janaway and stepdaughter Dulcie West.
“I am passionate about what I do because I truly love my work – it is my life. To be recognised and awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List was incredible and beyond my wildest dreams. It was a great privilege for my family and I to attend St James's Palace, and it felt especially fitting that Princess Anne presented the award, given her deep involvement in the equine world.”
She added, “I hope this recognition will strengthen my ability to advocate for ex‑racehorses and young people. As we celebrate 20 years of HEROS, I remain as determined as ever to advance our mission and expand our efforts to support positive, happy outcomes for both horses and young people.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
