HRI to restructure following resignation

Horse Racing Ireland has announced a significant restructuring of its marketing subsidiary in the wake of the resignation of a senior director over breach of ethics concerns.

Michael O’Hagan resigned as CEO of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing on Monday after HRI initiated a second disciplinary inquiry against him for private deals involving his wife, Josephine O’Hagan, and ITM’s Chinese clients.

Mr O’Hagan also left the role of director of international affairs and communications at HRI.

ITM said it was making a number of additions to the team to ensure the continued high standard of service to vendors, breeders and sales companies.

Joe Osborne and Dick O’Sullivan have beenappointed to ITM’s advisory committee.

Mr Osborne was recently appointed chairman of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and is a previous long-serving ITM committee member.

Mr O’Sullivan has previously been served as chairman and general manager of ITM, and is manager of Punchestown Racecourse. He is a former chairman of Bord na gCon.

Elaine Hatton, a senior marketing executive with Glanbia, will join ITM as general manager on July 23, while Liam Glynn has joined the team as a marketing assistant.

Sean Clancy has been appointed as US agent for ITM. ITM will also shortly appoint a UK-based agent.

The existing ITM team, comprising of Caroline Kennedy, Daithí Harvey, Rolline Kavanagh, and Noeleen Solan, will continue to promoting Irish bloodstock, with particular focus on autumn sales.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said the appointments would help strengthen an already strong team.

The developments came as Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney signed a deal on equine exports with a visiting delegation from China.

Mr O’Hagan had been HRI’s, and its subsidiary ITM’s, key liaison with Chinese clients until it was discovered his wife was acting as a consultant from private horse sales to Asian clients.