John McStay has been appointed Senior Steward of the Irish Turf Club and succeeds Nick Wachman, who has held that position for the past two years. John joined the Turf Club in 1993 and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee in 2008. He is a former chairman of the Curragh Committee and was in that position when sponsorship of the Irish Derby by Dubai Duty Free was secured.
Mr. McStay has served on various other Turf Club committees, including the Finance Committee, and is chairman of the Irish Jockeys Trust and a trustee/committee member of a number of other jockey related charities. He has also served on the board of Horse Racing Ireland for the past two years and is a former director of Tote Ireland.
His interest in racing was sparked by his late father Michael, who was a former Turf Club Member. Along with his wife Clodagh, they breed horses at their Oaklawn Stud which is situated close to the Curragh and have horses in training with John Oxx.
Commenting on his new role Mr. McStay said: “I am looking forward to the next two years as Senior Steward. The Turf Club and its members have served Irish racing in good and bad times for over 200 years and will continue to do so. We certainly face a challenging environment for all involved in the industry. I am essentially an optimist, however, as I look at the future of Irish racing, provided the Government and the industry work together, through widening the scope of the betting tax base. This would provide a welcome revenue boost for the Government while at the same time ensure the much needed long term funding for racing. That is essential to ensure its continued prosperity and the continuation of the employment level within racing and the associated breeding industry.
“Many different people and organizations contribute to the success and standing of Irish racing and I look forward to meeting as many of them as possible and drawing on their knowledge and expertise as I carry out my role.”
Roderick Ryan has been appointed Deputy Senior Steward of the Turf Club. He joined the Turf Club in 1997 and has served on its Finance Committee, the Compliance and Regulations Committee and more recently on the Curragh Committee. An owner and breeder with a passionate interest in Irish racing, Mr. Ryan also acted as a consultant to the ITBA-sponsored and recently published Dukes Report which analysed the economic impact of the Irish racing and breeding industry.
Peter Reynolds has been appointed a Steward of the Turf Club. Manager of the Ballymacoll Stud for over 30 years, he joined the Turf Club in 1995 while he joined the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee in 2002. He has acted as a Steward at racemeetings for over 25 years. His late father Albert who was also a Turf Club member and acted as Clerk of the Scales for many years.
Liam Cashman has been appointed a Steward of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. He replaces Mr. Leslie Crawford, who has served on the committee for the past four years. A member of the INHSC since 1992, Mr. Cashman is proprietor of the world famous Rathbarry Stud in Fermoy, Co Cork.