Naomi Mellor

The 2026 TBA Flat Breeders' Awards, which will celebrate the successes of British-bred horses from the 2025 Flat racing season, will be sponsored by Harris Li and Rachel Zhang's Ace Stud. "We are delighted to be sponsoring the TBA Flat Breeders' Awards, which reflects our full commitment to supporting the British breeding sector," said Li. "Ace Stud is a growing operation with a clear vision for the future, and we are actively looking to build on our foundations, including expanding our stallion roster in the years ahead." The Newmarket-based Ace...

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) have collaborated with the announcement of a webinar designed to primarily educate and inform racehorse owners and bloodstock enthusiasts considering thoroughbred breeding for the first time. The webinar titled 'From Paddock to Winning Post: Getting Started in Thoroughbred Breeding' will take place on Monday, April 27 at 6pm. Offering a practical and accessible introduction to breeding, it will have a particular focus on owners of fillies nearing the end of their racing careers and featuring guest speaker, multiple Group 1-winning...

It would be fair to say that Monday night's annual general meeting of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) was not a laugh a minute, but, as TBA chairman Philip Newton outlined, there is not much cause for levity in British racing and breeding these days.  Rising costs, stagnant or falling prize-money in the lower tiers, and continued declines in the British (and global) foal crop were all cited as areas of concern, while Newton, who has been instrumental in the development of Project Pace, which seeks to make a Premier...

Naomi Mellor has been appointed chief executive officer at the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA). A qualified veterinary surgeon, Mellor brings over 17 years of equine veterinary experience across the UK, Australia, and the South Pacific, including Thoroughbred stud work. As well as working in racing, stud and general practice as a vet, she previously served as a Veterinary Officer at the British Horseracing Authority, where she played a role in regulatory compliance and animal welfare at major racing events, including Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival. Mellor succeeds Claire Sheppard,...