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VIEW FROM IRELAND From Leo Powell, Managing Editor of The Irish Field
Clarke and O’Kelly up sticks to leave holes to fill at stud Long-serving Chief Executive John Clarke and Director Pat O’Kelly leave Irish National Stud
John Clarke: 27 years with stud
January 11 marked the official end of John Clarke’s reign at the helm of the Irish National Stud. The son of a Meath veterinary surgeon and from a family wellknown in the breeding world, he took over the role at Tully after the departure of Michael Osborne. Clarke moved into the position following a period as manager of Ballsbridge International Bloodstock Sales, the forerunner of what is now Tattersalls Ireland. At the time of going to press, a successor had not been named, though
applications for the job closed in early December. Also leaving the Irish National Stud is renowned breeder Pat O’Kelly. A member of the board since 1992, she was one of the longest serving members and during her time with the company played a leading part in the acquisition of Indian Ridge and Invincible Spirit. Hugely involved in any buying of mares at the sales, she was instrumental in the purchase of the Nureyev mare Sabaah for the stud. Sabaah became the dam of Desert King, winner of the Irish 2,000
Guineas and Irish Derby. O’Kelly inherited Kilcarn Stud following the death of her father, who had established the County Meath farm in 1943. Early Classic winners bred there included Sodium and Athens Wood, but it was surely the exploits of Flame Of Tara that catapulted the nursery to international fame. The daughter of Artaius won the Coronation Stakes and Pretty Polly Stakes, both then Group 2s, and her long list of offspring included triple Classic winner Salsabil and St James’s Palace Stakes winner and successful sire Marju.
New positions for the New Year Eamonn Cullen leaves Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to take up similar role in South Africa THE success of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing has resulted in a number of similar bodies being set up worldwide. Now the Irish marketing wing of Horse Racing Ireland will hopefully be able to build a closer alliance with the South African thoroughbred industry when Eamonn Cullen, the former Marketing Manager at ITM, takes on a similar role at Bloodstock South Africa. For many years associated with the Coolmore organisation, Cullen will surely have his entry to the South African scene aided by the former Irish racing correspondent Michael Clower, who has been based there for the last few years. Clower writes a regular South African column for The Irish Field. A number of Irish people have homes and bloodstock interests in South Africa also, notably David and Diane Nagle of Barronstown Stud. Cullen has wide international experience and had many important contacts already in South Africa. He replaces a man with an Irish sounding name, Byron Kennedy, in the role.
Fran Berry, as expected, has replaced Michael Kinane as first jockey to the powerful John Oxx team at Currabeg Stables. Already well associated with the yard, which famously housed Sea The Stars last year, Berry has been made favourite to take the Irish jockeys’ championship this year. Among the horses he has to look forward to riding will be the 2008 Futurity Stakes winner Arazan, a half-brother to Azamour. The Irish Turf Club has a new Senior Steward. Accountant John McStay replaced Nick Wachman in midDecember and will be at the helm for a two-year period. A former Chairman of the Curragh Committee, McStay owns Oaklawn Stud near the Curragh with his wife Clodagh and also plays a pivotal role at the Irish National Stud. In other Turf Club changes, owner and breeder Roddy Ryan is the new Deputy Senior Steward, while Ballymacoll Stud manager Peter Reynolds becomes a Steward. Rathbarry Stud owner Liam Cashman is a newly appointed Steward of
22 THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER
Eamonn Cullen: wide international experience
the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. Meanwhile, over at Goffs, Liam Hanly succeeds Paddy Hale as the company’s Finance Director.