LAST week marked the 10,000th edition of The Irish Field and our article on the history of the publication prompted racing and bloodstock professional Michael O’Hagan to get in touch with some extra details.

From Dundalk, Michael got into racing via his father, Pat, a veterinary surgeon, who provided his professional services to the local racecourse for over 40 years and was a shareholder there too.

However, Michael reveals there is also a horsey connection through his mother Oonagh’s side. Michael reports: “Her grandfather’s brother was Freddie MacCabe, who was just 26 years old in 1894 when he took over The Irish Sportsman newspaper and renamed it The Irish Field.”

MacCabe, who was also a doctor, revamped the newspaper during his five-year term as managing director before going back to medicine, but he reinvented himself as a racehorse trainer in the early 1900s and has the distinction of training Orby to become the first Irish-trained winner of the Epsom Derby in 1907. He is also credited as one of the founders of Mallow Racecourse in the 1920s. Like his ancestor, Michael O’Hagan could also be described as a man of many talents and he has just launched a new consultancy service.

Based in Newmarket, Michael has a lot to offer businesses in racing who want to bring their brand to life.

Having started his career working in France and then the USA before taking up a position as assistant manager at Coolmore Stud, Michael went on to become CEO at the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. More recently Michael has been the public face of Al Basti Equiworld, a Dubai-based equine supplies importer which now has a global profile, thanks largely to Michael’s efforts.

Having travelled the world in those roles, Michael knows just about everyone in racing. He said: “I feel I am fortunate to have accrued the experience required to face the constant global challenges facing racing. I look forward to tackling new projects with new people while drawing on past experiences with a solid base of friends, family and long-time industry professionals.”

Web: moh-consultancy.com