Leading owner Simon Munir among seven new members of the Jockey Club

Leading jumps owner Simon Munir is among seven new members elected to the Jockey Club following the organisation's winter meeting.

The Jockey Club has also appointed a new honorary member in Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, while William Sporborg has joined the board of stewards – the group's non-executive board of directors.

Munir, who is a director of a number of food companies, is well known for the 'double green' colours carried by his horses owned in partnership with Isaac Souede, with the best including the likes of Bristol De Mai and Sceau Royal.

David Maxwell has been elected a member of the Jockey ClubCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Also elected was real estate investor, owner and leading amateur rider David Maxwell, who has ridden approaching 70 winners under rules.

Other new members include Brian Finch, a racehorse owner and the chairman of Epsom, along with Simon Philip who is a racecourse committee member at Epsom and Kempton as well as chairman of Epsom Training Grounds Management Board.

Philip, who is also chairman of Kent County Cricket Club, led the group which owned King George VI Chase winner and Gold Cup runner-up Might Bite.

The new intake also includes the Hon Frances Stanley, chair of the National Horseracing Museum and a former Newmarket racecourse committee and steward, along with owner and Sandown committee member Victoria Dunn.

The seven new members are completed by owner-breeder and Huntingdon committee member Nicholas Wright.

Sporborg, who was announced as the new chair of Jockey Club Estates – the property and land management arm of the group – at the end of 2022, joins the board of stewards as Peter Stanley and Justin Dowley both step down.

Jockey Club senior steward Sandy Dudgeon

Senior steward Sandy Dudgeon said: “I am very pleased to welcome William Sporborg to the board of stewards and look forward to working with him. His experience will prove a huge asset to the Jockey Club, both in his role as a steward and as chair of Jockey Club Estates.

"I would like to thank Justin Dowley and Peter Stanley for their outstanding contribution to the board and there is no doubt that the Jockey Club has benefited greatly from their considerable expertise.

"I am also pleased to welcome our new members for 2023, elected on account of their enthusiasm for racing and their commitment to our sport."

New honorary member Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa is regarded as a driving force behind the racing industry in Bahrain where he is second in line to the throne.

His best performer on the track is the unbeaten filly Commissioning, who is owned and bred jointly with his uncle Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa and won the Fillies’ Mile last year.

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