Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has created new operating and management structures to separately handle its racing and non-racing commercial activities.

HRI Racecourses Ltd will continue to be responsible for the operation of its racecourse interests in Leopardstown, Navan, Tipperary and Cork (Mallow), and a new Property and Commercial division will be responsible for the development and management of HRI's property and non-racing commercial interests.

Matt O'Dwyer, currently General Manager of HRI Racecourses Ltd will head up the new Property and Commercial Division and the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive of HRI Racecourses Ltd is under way.

In other appointments, Justice Frank Clarke, who will stand down from the HRI Board and as Chairman of the Leopardstown Committee in December, has agreed to act as Chairman of the new HRI Property / Commercial Committee. Other members of this Committee are Brian Kavanagh, David McGrath, Liam Madden, and David Allman.

Ged Pierse, a prominent racehorse owner and long standing supporter of Irish racing, has agreed to take up the position of Chairman of Leopardstown to succeed Frank Clarke. Leading flat trainer John Oxx will also join the Leopardstown Committee. The other members of the Leopardstown Committee are currently Tom Taaffe, Philip Myerscough, Seamus Mulvaney, Jimmy Farrelly, Finbar Cahill, Breege O'Donoghue and Eithne Fitzpatrick.

In welcoming the new appointments, HRI Chairman Denis Brosnan stated:

"Our racecourses have developed significant non raceday businesses and it is now important to segregate responsibility for these activities. Both Leopardstown and Navan will be involved in major capital development projects in the near future which will also require significant attention. The restructuring announced today will ensure continuity during these changing times and allow our racecourses to maximise the performance of both the racing and non-racing aspects of their business. I welcome Ged Pierse as Chairman of Leopardstown Club Ltd. He has been a highly valued sponsor of Irish racing, a successful racehorse owner - tasting Cheltenham glory this year with Oulart - and in recent years has served successfully as a Director of Fairyhouse Club Ltd."