Harry McCalmont has taken over as Chairman of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) on 1st January 2020.
Harry became a member of the Turf Club in 1985. He is a well known breeder, owner and vendor of thoroughbreds. He has been chairman of the European Breeders Fund, Gowran Park racecourse and Longines Irish Champions Weekend. He has also served on Turf Club Finance Committee, as well as serving on the Curragh and Licensing Committees. He is currently a member of the Board of Horse Racing Ireland and Curragh Racecourse Limited. He replaces Peter Allen as Chairman who completed his term of office on 31st December 2019.
Martin O’Donnell has been appointed Vice-Chairman of the IHRB and Senior Steward of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHS Committee). Martin was elected as a Member of the INHS Committee in 2005 and has served on various in-house Committees including the Compliance and Regulations and Stewarding Committees and the Appeals Body. He has also acted as Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Point to Point Committee. He is an owner / breeder and is a former holder of a restricted trainer’s licence and also rode in Point to Points. He is a Chartered Valuation Surveyor by profession.
Philip McLernon has been appointed as a Board member of the IHRB and as a Steward of the INHS Committee. Philip became a member of the INHS Committee in 2012. He has acted as Chairman of the Point-to-Point Committee and has also served as a member of the Referrals Committee and the Stewarding Committee. He recently completed his term as Chairman of Stewards at Limerick and Cork. Philip replaces Peter Allen as a Board Member of the IHRB.
David McCorkell has been appointed as a Board member of the IHRB and as a Steward of the INHS Committee. David became a member of the INHS Committee in 2017 and has acted extensively as a racecourse steward. He has been involved in racing as an owner and previously was a committee member at Down Royal Racecourse. He had an extensive career in Investment Management with Brewin Dolphin Holdings plc and retired from the board in 2012. David replaces Dr Colm O’Flaherty as a Board Member of the IHRB.
Commenting on his appointment as Chairman of the IHRB, Harry McCalmont said that he was delighted to be taking over as Chairman at this important time for Irish racing particularly for the Regulator. He said: “I’m looking forward to playing a part in the delivery of the IHRB Strategic Plan which sets out the actions which will be taken to ensure the integrity of Irish racing continues to be maintained and upheld to the highest standards in the coming years”.