new role

Richard Gibson has been appointed the international client relations director for Arqana. The former trainer will begin his new role on June 15. This appointment is part of a strategy to attract new clients worldwide while retaining the loyalty of buyers who regularly attend the sales in Deauville. Gibson will strengthen sales promotion efforts in various foreign markets. He will also be tasked with continuing to improve the welcome extended to buyers when they attend the sales. Gibson has over 25 years as a trainer (1997-2023) and spent 14 years...

Michael O'Hagan, the founder of MOH Consultancy, has been appointed as head of racing of Equus Design & Build, effective immediately. Equus Design & Build  is a specialist in bespoke luxury full-service equestrian and residential construction. Hugh Daly said, " Michael brings a rare ability to join the dots. His worldwide connections coupled with his practical knowledge of the equine and thoroughbred industry makes him superbly qualified to bring another exciting dimension to the team at Equus." Added O'Hagan, "This is an amazing opportunity to expand two decades of Hugh's...

Rachel Sharpe has been appointed as the marketing and communications executive at The National Stud. The team is in the process of recording its busiest foaling season to date. "Client communications have always been a priority for us and I am delighted that Rachel has joined the team to focus on this area," said CEO Anna Kerr. "She brings a wide range of experience from her time with Chris Waller and Jamie Osborne, and will also be continuing the development of our social media channels and digital activation. We have...

Sammy Stringer has joined Tattersalls as a new digital marketing executive. She began her new role on Wednesday, March 25. Previously, she was a social media account manager at JSC Communications. A graduate of the British Horseracing Authority's Development Programme, Sammy was part of the marketing departments at British Champions Series and Great British Racing, before her time at JSC where she oversaw several social media accounts and campaigns, as well as leading the marketing and operations for the Henry Cecil Open Weekend. Tattersalls marketing director Jason Singh said, "We...

Andrew Weir MBE BBS JP has been appointed as a non-executive director of the UK Tote Group Board. A full member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) since 1997, Weir is chairman of the Pacific Basin Economic Council and independent non-executive director on the Board of the Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. He previously served as global chairman of asset management and regional senior partner in Hong Kong of KPMG. Also an elected steward and board member and trustee of the HKJC, he brings over 35 years of...

Orlaith Nangle joined Tattersalls as a marketing executive last month. She started her new role on February 16 after holding a bloodstock assistant role at McEvoy Mitchell Racing in Australia. Previously, Nangle completed breeding seasons at Coolmore America and Ballyphilip Stud, the National Stud Diploma and also Godolphin Flying Start. Tattersalls marketing director Jason Singh said, "We are delighted to welcome Orlaith to the Tattersalls marketing team. She brings fresh perspective and creativity, as well as a clear enthusiasm for both marketing and the bloodstock sector." Added Nangle, "I am...

Alex MacIntyre has been appointed the new operations and guest experience director of Newbury Racecourse. Previously, he served for over 13 years at the Saracens Rugby Club. MacIntyre said, "I am hugely excited by the opportunity to join the team at Newbury Racecourse and support the ongoing success and growth of the venue. As the racecourse continues to evolve as one of the UK's premier destinations for racing and events, I'm eager to play a part in building on its strong heritage while helping to drive forward new initiatives that...

Mark Clayton has been named the new CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) announced on Thursday. Clayton will take up his role in early January and will report to HRI Racecourses CEO Paul Dermody. Previously, he spent 12 years at Southwell Racecourse and held prior leadership roles at Doncaster and Huntingdon Racecourses. Dermody said, "I am delighted to welcome Mark to the role of CEO at Leopardstown Racecourse. Mark brings a wealth of commercial experience and expertise to the role, combined with a thorough knowledge of the racing...

Will Douglass is to join Ocala Breeders' Sales Company as its international representative. The agent established Will Douglass Bloodstock in January of this year. Previously, he had worked for Charlie Gordon-Watson since 2010 and as an assistant to Classic-winning trainers Luca Cumani and Ed Dunlop, and Australian champion trainer David Hayes. "I am looking forward to working with [the] team at OBS and helping them expand their international client base," Douglass said. "OBS has a long history of selling outstanding horses that are successful all over the world such as...

Dr Paull Khan has been named the new chief executive officer of the European and Mediterranean Horse Federation (EMHF). Khan has served as the organisation's secretary-general since 2012. He will serve in his new role through 2027. Henri Pouret, EMHF chair, said, "The executive council of the EMHF decided with great enthusiasm [on] the appointment of Paull Khan, formerly secretary general of the EMHF, as CEO. This new position reflects the confidence placed in his remarkable experience and commitment and demonstrates the ambition of the EMHF for the years to...

Baroness Minette Batters will become the new independent chair of the Horse Welfare Board (HWB), replacing Barry Johnson on July 1, 2025. Formerly the president of the National Farmers Union from 2018-2024, Batters was appointed as a crossbench House of Lords peer in 2024. A director of Salisbury Racecourse, Batters also enjoyed a successful career as an amateur jockey with over 30 point-to-point wins to her name. Batters said, "I'm absolutely delighted to be appointed as the new chair of the HWB. Horse welfare will always be fundamental to racing's...

Peter Orton will leave his position as general manager of Vinery Stud and pursue his own endeavors in the Thoroughbred industry. Arriving at Dr. Thomas Simon's Vinery Stud in 2000, Orton would go on to shuttle influential dual hemisphere stallions More Than Ready and Southern Halo. Over time, Vinery would also stand prominent sires Red Ransom, Mossman, All Too Hard, and Testa Rossa. The stud also has young stallions Exceedance, Hawaii Five Oh and Ole Kirk to look forward to. Orton told the TTR AusNZ, "I've thought about it for...