The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has announced that Dr Jennifer Pugh will replace replace Dr Adrian McGoldrick as Senior Medical Officer.

Dr Jennifer Pugh will be appointed as Senior Medical Officer with effect from 1st January 2019 to replace Dr McGoldrick who is retiring from the position.

Dr Pugh joined the Turf Club in 2012 and has worked as a medical officer firstly for the Turf Club and subsequently for the IHRB since then as well as acting as a general practitioner in Kildare for the past eight years. She has also acted as a point-to-point medical officer since 2003 and is responsible for the provision of doctors at Punchestown since 2012.

Apart from her medical experience in horse racing, Dr Pugh is also a keen horse rider and held a qualified riders' licence from 1999-2012. She was Lady Point-to-Point Champion in 2008/2009 and represented Ireland at the European Lady Amateur Championship in Hungary and Slovakia in 2009.

Commenting on her appointment Dr Jennifer Pugh said that: “I am delighted and honoured to have been selected as the Senior Medical Officer for the IHRB having been involved in horse racing all of my life. It is a privilege to succeed Dr Adrian McGoldrick under whose tenure the IHRB has become an International leader for rider Health and Safety standards.

"I look forward to working with the IHRB and the wider racing industry to provide the very best care possible for our riders into the future."

Dr Adrian McGoldrick said “I am delighted with Jennifer’s appointment following a very rigorous interview process. She is a highly competent, caring doctor with a vast knowledge of racing. I look forward to assisting her in progressing the care of our riders and the ongoing research programme which the IHRB (Turf Club) have pioneered since 2004. It is a very good day for Irish racing.”

IHRB Chief Executive Denis Egan said “We are thrilled to have a person of Jennifer’s experience and knowledge to replace Adrian. As a former rider Jennifer really understands the challenges faced by riders which gives her a unique insight into the difficulties that riders face each day.

"I have no doubt Jennifer will continue to enhance the services and supports that the IHRB provide to riders which are amongst the best in the world thanks to the efforts of Dr Adrian McGoldrick and his team”.