Paul Dermody's new HRI Racecourses role
Dunboyne man Paul Dermody has been appointed as CEO of Horse Racing Ireland Racecourses.
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has reorganised its senior management team with the appointment of John Osborne to the new position of Director of Equine Welfare and Bloodstock and Dermody to the position of Chief Executive of HRI Racecourses
Meath man Dermody joined Horse Racing Ireland as Commercial and Marketing Director in 2017, having held the same position with Leinster Rugby and having previously served as Commercial and Sponsorship Manager with the GAA.
“I am very excited to be taking on the CEO HRI Racecourses role," stated the Dunboyne man.
"I look forward to working closely with the teams at Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, Navan and Tipperary to showcase the best of Irish racing for racegoers and industry stakeholders alike.
"With the variety of racing hosted at these four racecourses, we have an integral role to play in growing the profile of our sport, enhancing the experience of going racing and ultimately increasing attendances.
"I hope to leverage my commercial experience in racing to date, as well as in previous roles at Leinster Rugby and the GAA, to support the individual racecourses to grow their business and continue to play integral roles in the communities they exist in,” he added.
John Osborne hails from Kildare and since graduating from University College Dublin in 1987, has held a number of important positions in the racing and bloodstock industry.
He is a former Chairman of County Kildare Fáilte and a former Chief Executive of the Irish National Stud, and since 2017, he has been CEO of HRI Racecourses.
HRI CEO Brian Kavanagh said
“Horse welfare is the single biggest issue facing racing authorities worldwide and John’s appointment reflects the priority which the Board of Horse Racing Ireland are putting on it.
"There are exciting developments at the HRI-owned racecourses and working with the racecourse teams, Paul will deliver on our ambitions for these racecourses.”