After 15 years in the job, Peter Roe is vacating the role of general manager at Fairyhouse Racecourse to take up a new role as Head of Racing - Horse Racing Ireland [HRI] Racecourses.

Amongst his key duties, Roe will be responsible for leading, managing and coordinating all racing and track operations across the four HRI racecourses, Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, Navan and Tipperary, in conjunction with each of the respective track foremen.

Roe recently marked 25 years with HRI, having initially assumed the role of racecourse manager at Tipperary in December 1999. He has been general manager of Fairyhouse since 2010.

Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, said: “We are proud that Peter has built a strong reputation with all our key industry stakeholders in his roles at Tipperary and Fairyhouse. Fairyhouse has seen strong growth under Peter’s guidance and the BoyleSports Easter Festival has evolved over his tenure to maintain its iconic status in the Irish sporting calendar.

“Peter will ensure consistency, quality, and innovation across each of the four racecourses, while maintaining a strong focus on individual track development, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. Peter will be responsible, with the track management, to ensure optimum ground conditions for each fixture, race planning, and attracting overseas runners and industry stakeholder engagement on behalf of HRI Racecourses.”

HRI has also announced the appointment of Connie Costello as Group Chief Financial Officer.

Costello has a strong financial background and extensive experience in the private and public sector, joining HRI from the Central Bank of Ireland, having previously held senior positions in First Active PLC, Ulster Bank, An Post and the Department of Public Expenditure (National Shared Services).

A racing fan, she has a proven record in strategic financial leadership, developing effective financial strategies, implementing operational efficiency across regulated environments, and leading transformation programmes.

Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “With a wealth of commercial experience and expertise, Connie is a significant addition to the team at HRI. Her career to date has included high level roles in both the private and public sector, and this, combined with an appreciation and understanding of racing and thoroughbred breeding, gives her the platform to make a telling contribution to our industry.”