A racehorse trainer who became a “key character”  Poole has been recognised with a heritage plaque.

The Society for Poole has dedicated a blue plaque for Louie Dingwall who died in 1982 at the age of 89.

The plaque has been placed on the walls of the Beach Office in Sandbanks.

Louie was known for being one of the UK’s first female racehorse trainers.

She trained horses on the Sandbanks peninsula while running several businesses from her home.

She bought her first ever racehorse in 1938, but it was not until after the Second World War that she got involved in buying, breeding, and racing them.

Some residents remember how she would ride her steed along Sandbanks beach each morning as there were no grass gallops.

Bournemouth Echo: Louie's plaqueLouie's plaque (Image: Mike Pearce)

Louie won 76 races during her career, and one of her most successful horses ‘Pink Stripes’ won five races on the flat and was placed twenty times.

She also had jockeys such as Lester Piggott, Willie Carson and Scobie Beasley ride for her.

In 1966, the Jockey Club allowed women to have training licences, and Louie became one of the first female trainers in the country.

Louie’s plaque was unveiled on Saturday, April 15 to align with Aintree’s Grand National.

It was presented by Andrew Philpott, who has fond memories of Louie and her horses in Sandbanks.

Bournemouth Echo: The plaque was unveiled by Andrew Philpott The plaque was unveiled by Andrew Philpott (Image: Mike Pearce)

Representatives of The Society for Poole were also present, alongside residents who remembered Louie and saw her as a “true character of the area”.

Mike Pearce, chairman of The Society for Poole, said: “Louie is a key character, and she was doing something fairly unique in Sandbanks by running racehorses along there.

“She was a champion of women’s rights and was well known.”

The Society for Poole aims to put up heritage plaques annually to recognise important people and buildings in the area.

Mike added: “The Society for Poole is a heritage organisation, so we’re keen to highlight the heritage of Poole.

“It’s appropriate that we can mark Louie, what she did and the character she was.”