THE Minister for Agriculture has appointed Mike Todd and Annemarie O’Brien to the board of Horse Racing Ireland to serve four-year terms.

Todd was handpicked by the Minister to represent Northern Ireland interests on the board. He was general manager of Down Royal Racecourse for 23 years and is acknowledged as the main creator of the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing which saw Down Royal allocated its first Grade 1 race. The track was named Racecourse of the Year by HRI during Todd’s tenure. Todd, whose grandfather bred and owned dual Champion Chase winner Skymas, is an acting steward at Navan, Downpatrick and Dundalk.

He told The Irish Field: “I was deeply honoured to be appointed to the HRI board. Racing has always been a big part of my life and it is great to be able to make a positive contribution.”

Annemarie O’Brien, a former champion trainer herself and married to Aidan O’Brien, was nominated by the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association.

Chaired by Nick Hartery, the board also includes Caren Walsh (owners), Carol Nolan (industry services), Caroline Corballis (IHRB), Christy Grassick (breeders), Conor O’Neill (racecourses), Daragh Fitzpatrick (bookmakers), Ger Flynn (stable staff), Geraldine Ruane (Ministerial appointment), Laurence McFerran (IHRB), Mary Coyne (Ministerial appointment) and Peter Allen (IHRB).