PETER O’Reilly has been appointed chief executive of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

O’Reilly is a small breeder and has been a member of the ITBA for a number of years. He currently sits on the board of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners and comes from a family that are steeped in the bloodstock industry.

He enjoyed a long career in the financial services industry before establishing his own successful life insurance and mortgage protection business.

From Kildare, he has been involved with horses all his life from hunting and racing through to breeding.

He rode briefly as an amateur in the 1980s and ’90s and rode in a charity race at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival, the same year a horse he bred, Bensalem, won at the meeting.

He completed the Corinthian Challenge in 2022 and raised funds for Irish Injured Jockeys in 2015 by riding a lap of every Irish racetrack in 24 hours. O’Reilly will be supported in the ITBA office by the team of Danielle Deveney and Hannah Marks. He will take over the role of chief executive from interim CEO Pat Keogh.

“I am really looking forward to working with Irish breeders and with the team at the ITBA,” O’Reilly said. “I hope to be able to deliver support and success to Irish breeders and to drive forward the ITBA with the help of its dedicated Council and committee members.”

Cathy Grassick, ITBA chairman, commented: “On behalf of the ITBA Council, I am delighted that Peter O’Reilly has accepted this position to represent and support the breeders of Ireland. I look forward to working with Peter and wish him the very best in his new role.

“While this is an exciting appointment for the ITBA it is also tinged with sadness as this position was held by the late Una Tormey, our previous chief executive who was so dedicated in her work. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Interim CEO Pat Keogh for his excellent work and support in his time with the ITBA.”