Murphy appointed CEO of Horse Sport Ireland

Ronan Murphy has been appointed CEO of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), replacing Damian McDonald who held the position since the foundation of the organisation in 2006 until December 2016.

Murphy, is joining HSI from Makeway Ltd., the Waterford based Agri-Technology Supply Company. Previous to this he held the position of CEO in Weatherbys Ireland. He was also the director of the TB Studbook for Weatherbys GSB in the UK. Murphy previously worked in Hermitage Genetics, a Kilkenny-based company specialising in performance genetics.

Speaking after the appointment was announced, Ronan Murphy said: “It’s a privilege to be joining the team at Horse Sport Ireland at this exciting and strategically important time for the Irish Sport Horse industry. I am looking forward to working closely with all our stakeholders to deliver our strategic plans, build a sustainable industry and to ensure the continued success of the Irish Sport Horse sector around the world.”

Murphy is a breeder and competitor in both polo and Show Jumping disciplines,he has also earned a first-class honours degree in agricultural science and a masters in equine reproductive physiology.

Murphy is expected to take up his position before the end of August.

1,000 career wins for Elliott

Away from Epsom mention must also be made of Gordon Elliott who made it 1000 career winners as a trainer when Moonday Sun picked up a handicap hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday. It is just under ten years ago that Elliott registered his first winner in Ireland and this represented yet another landmark triumph in what has already been an amazing career.

Appropriately Elliott reached the 1000 winner courtesy of double on Wednesday which was achieved with winners on either side of the Irish Sea.

For good measure Elliott ended the week by sending out another impressive two-year-old winner in Monkeylou who struck at Listowel on Sunday. This victory followed on from the smooth debut triumph of Beckford at the Curragh last month.