Horse Racing Ireland has announced the appointment of Mark Clayton as the new CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse.
Reporting to Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, Clayton will take up his role in early January following an extensive recruitment campaign.
He has over two decades of experience in racecourse management, including 12 years at Southwell Racecourse, and prior leadership roles at Doncaster and Huntingdon Racecourses.
He has delivered over 1,000 race meetings, including high-profile fixtures with crowds exceeding 30,000, such as the St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
“I am delighted to welcome Mark to the role of CEO at Leopardstown Racecourse,” said Dermody.
“Mark brings a wealth of commercial experience and expertise to the role, combined with a thorough knowledge of the racing industry. Mark has led major racecourse capital projects and will play a key role in leading the future development of the Leopardstown Racecourse campus.”
“I am very excited to be joining the Leopardstown team,” added Clayton.
“I have worked within the racing and breeding industry for most of my career, and I hope that my extensive racecourse management experience and leadership skills can help drive forward what is already a proven world-class racing facility.”
Clayton takes over the role from Vicki Donlon, who had held it on an interim basis but has now joined Diageo, and before her, Tim Husbands, who stepped down from the role in April.
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