Christy Grassick takes over as new ITBA chairman

Coolmore's Christy Grassick has succeeded Derrinstown Stud general manager Stephen Collins as chairman of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.

Grassick will serve a two-year term during which measures to mitigate any negative effects of Brexit on Irish breeders are bound to dominate the association's agenda.

Grassick will be ably assisted by respected veterinarian Des Leadon, who has been appointed vice-chairman of the ITBA. He and partner Mariann Klay have bred Lilbourne Lad and his talented son Dinozzo at their Swordlestown Little Stud in County Kildare.

New faces on the ITBA council are Gerry Aherne, breeder of Romanised; Kevin Blake, writer and broadcaster; Frank Motherway, owner of Yellowford Farm; Anthony O'Donnell of Darley; Malachy Ryan, manager of Moyglare Stud; and Gay Veitch of Ringfort Stud.

Ignatius Geraghty, John McEnery and Sean Murphy return to the council, which is completed by Damian Burns, Stephen Collins, Max Ervine, Michéal Fahy, William Flood, Cathy Grassick, Joe Hernon, Derek Iceton, Denis MacAuley, Maurice Moloney, Eimear Mulhern, David O’Callaghan and John O’Connor.

Brexit-related challenges the ITBA will have to negotiate include finding a workable replacement for the Tripartite Agreement that maintains free movement of thoroughbreds between Europe and Britain.

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