Horse racing: Byrne stepping down as Racing Post editor

Racing Post executives today begin the task of finding a successor to editor Alan Byrne who is leaving the paper at the end of this week.

After eight successful years with the publication Irishman Byrne, 39, revealed he is to leave to pursue other interests.

‘‘It has been a wonderful privilege editing the Racing Post,’’ he said.

‘‘I have enjoyed it enormously. When I took over the main aim was to try to overhaul the Sporting Life which had nearly two-thirds of the market.

‘‘As a result of the efforts of a great many people we managed to overtake the Life. After the the two papers merged in 1998 we were able to produce an even better paper, thanks to the influx of talent from the Life.’’

He added: ‘‘The Racing Post is currently enjoying record sales so I feel my job here is done and the time is right to move on. Whoever takes over from me will inherit a very talented team.

‘‘I will always be indebted to my colleagues for the work they have done in making the Racing Post a successful and profitable paper and I wish them continuing success.’’

Prior to joining the Racing Post, Byrne was news editor of the Sunday Tribune.

Racing Post founding director Brough Scott paid tribute to Byrne.

‘‘Alan has done an unbelievable job,’’ said Scott. ‘‘He is a terrific editor, but I understand why he wants a new challenge. Now our challenge is to keep up the service for all of our readers.’’

Byrne’s final edition in charge of racing’s daily will be Saturday’s paper.

A successor will be appointed within the next few weeks. In the meantime, Chris Smith will take over as acting editor.