FEIDHLIM Cunningham says he is enthusiastic about the challenge that lies in store after being announced as the new chief executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association.

The Moynalvey, Co Meath native succeeds Ryan McElligott in the role after the outgoing chief executive agreed to take up a new position in AMO Racing. McElligott had worked with the trainers’ body since late 2022.

Cunningham’s appointment comes at a tumultuous time for the IRTA, with the organisation reported to be €2 million in debt and unable to pay in excess of €1 million related to an unsuccessful libel case in 2020 involving IHRB head of security Chris Gordon.

The new chief executive previously spent time as a trader and odds compiler with Paddy Power before beginning a spell in a race planning role with Gavin Cromwell in 2018. Most recently, he has been involved in a firm named Sportstraction, which helps to find racing sponsorships for commercial clients.

Cunningham, who has also been among the winners as a racehorse owner in recent years, told The Irish Field: “It will definitely be challenging but I’m enthusiastic to take it on. I feel I have a broad view of the industry commercially, which will hopefully help in the role.

“I spent six years working in the industry with Paddy Power, then four years with Gavin and since that I’ve been involved in the sponsorship side of things.

“Obviously this is a very fragile period so the next few years are vital. My hope is that stakeholders can come together to work better for the sake of all participants. I feel that in a lot of the commercial decisions that are made, trainers can be underrepresented, and these are still decisions that impact them in the long run. Hopefully we can have a bit more influence and consultation when new things are being brought in.”