new role

Henri Pouret has been named as the next chairman of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) and he will begin his duties on June 1, 2025. An election was held at the EMHF's executive council meeting in Morocco last week to determine Brian Kavanagh's successor. Kavanagh has served in the role since the inception of the EMHF in 2010. Pouret is currently the chief operating officer and deputy chief executive officer of France Galop. He is also the vice-chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Pouret said,...

Keith Haggins has been named the new Racing Welfare community engagement officer, the charity announced on Thursday. Haggins will focus on the thoroughbred stud and breeding sector to raise awareness of and increase access to the charity's services. He have almost 30 years of experience in the thoroughbred breeding industry, and managed Waddesdon Stud for the late Lady Rothschild. His role is part of a three-year project made possible by funding from the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust. Already, progress has been made in the project's first year, with a survey...

Guy Lavender has been appointed the new chief executive officer of Cheltenham Racecourse, The Jockey Club announced on Wednesday. He will begin his new role early next year, working alongside Cheltenham managing director Ian Renton. The duo will coordinate the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, and Renton, who has served in his role since 2012, will remain involved at the racecourse in an advisory capacity at least through the event. Lavender was previously the CEO and secretary of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) since 2017 and since 2022 has been a committee...

Baroness Dido Harding has succeeded Sandy Dudgeon as one senior steward of The Jockey Club (TJC). Her term will last for five years. A member of TJC since 2004 and part of the Board of Stewards since 2017, Harding will chair TJC's main board, and will serve as a senior steward with The Lord Grimthorpe as her deputy senior steward. Also on the board of stewards are stewards William Rucker, William Sporborg, Tim Syder, Sam Waley-Cohen, Lady Carolyn Warren, and William Wyatt. The 56-year-old was previously a racecourse committee member...

Adam Potts has joined BBA Ireland as a bloodstock agent, the organisation announced on Friday. A graduate of the Irish National Stud Course, Potts has a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Finance from the Queen's University Belfast. He previously worked for the Racing Post, as well as European Bloodstock News, Thoroughbred Stallion Guide and International Thoroughbred. More recently, Potts worked with trainer Ken Condon, in addition to his work as a bloodstock agent. He selected G1 Irish 1000 Guineas runner and 'TDN Rising Star' Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB})...

Aidan McGarry is the new general manager of Naas Racecourse, the directors of the facility announced on Thursday. He will start in the position on June 20. Over the past three years, McGarry managed Navan Racecourse, where he introduced the Navan Racing Festival. He was also involved in former roles with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM). Dermot Cantillon, chairman of Naas Racecourse, said of the University of Limerick and National College graduate, "On behalf of the board of directors and the staff of Naas Racecourse we...

Louise Norman, previously the head of ownership with the Racehorse Owner's Association (ROA) is the new interim CEO of the organisation, it announced on Friday. She replaces Charlie Liverton, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. ROA president Charlie Parker said, "The ROA Board would like to thank Charlie for his contributions over a number of years to both the ROA itself and the wider racing industry. The Board and I are delighted, and fully supportive of Louise stepping into the role of interim CEO. She brings a wealth of...

Peter O'Reilly has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, the ITBA announced on Friday. He takes over from interim CEO Pat Keogh. Currently on the board of the AIRO, O'Reilly is a small breeder and a longtime member of the ITBA. O'Reilly enjoyed a long career in the financial services industry, before starting his own business. He will be supported in his new role by the ITBA team of Danielle Deveney and Hannah Marks. "I am really looking forward to working with Irish...

Nick Bannister will become the next chairman of Racing Welfare on June 12, the organisation announced on Wednesday. Currently chairman of Haydock Park Racecourse since 2020, Bannister will succeed William Barlow, who will be completing his five-year term. Bannister, who first worked for three decades in financial services, also manages the family-owned Coniston Hotel & Spa and its associated estate in the Yorkshire Dales. He has served as chair of The Countryside Alliance Foundation for six years and spent over 10 years as the deputy governor of the Hunt Staff...

Ross Fuller has been appointed the new stud manager at Main Chance Farms in South Africa, the stud announced on Wednesday. The Sporting Post first reported the new appointment. Previously a team member at prestigious farms Wilgerbosdrift, Drakenstein and Ridgemont, Fuller returns to South Africa after stints in Australia and England. "While our horses are the proud flagships of our brand, we pride ourselves on quality and professionalism of the highest order and our people are an integral factor in our success," Maine Chance's Dr. Andreas Jacobs told the publication....

Australian Turf Club (ATC) Head Of Racing and Wagering James Ross will shortly take up a leading role with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) after eight years at the ATC. He announced his resignation on Thursday and will finish his tenure with the ATC after this year's Autumn carnival. "James has been instrumental in ATC remaining at the forefront of racing in Australia," CEO Matt Galanos told Racing NSW. "He has ensured ATC has continued to forge a reputation as an industry leader through the delivery of a world-class...

Gary King has been appointed to the Godolphin International Thoroughbred Leadership Programme (GITLP) board of trustees. King graduated from the programme in 2010, and is currently Senior Vice President at Thoroughbred Daily News and co-founder (with Vicky Leonard) of The Thoroughbred Report Australia and New Zealand. King, who received the GFS Business Excellence award at the 2023 alumni conference, joins the board which includes fellow graduates Lisa-Jane Graffard and Tessa Hetherington.