Limerick Racecourse general manager Tom Rudd is stepping down from the role at the end of January. He was appointed in August 2022.

His final meeting in charge was the recent four-day Christmas Festival, the highlight of which was a quality renewal of the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase, sponsored by Guinness, and won by Gaelic Warrior. The race was won in 2022 by Gerri Colombe.

Rudd said: “The time is right for me to make this announcement. I have taken this decision due to a change in my personal circumstances, and ongoing commuting to Limerick on a daily basis is not feasible for me. I have enjoyed my role at Greenmount, building on its past successes, and I believe I leave the racecourse in good shape for the future.

“Highlights of my time at Limerick have included ensuring that the track’s best races have grown further in terms of their reputation, building strong relationships with sponsors, making the venue a customer-friendly attraction both locally and nationally, and leading a small but dedicated team to greater heights.

"And helping spearhead the Racing For Change campaign to make the racecourse the first fully sustainable track in Ireland. I wish whoever takes on the role the very best in the future.”

Ideal choice

Rudd was an ideal choice for the role as general manager, given his lifetime involvement with racing and the greater bloodstock business. An accomplished jockey who enjoyed success at the highest level, he was later part of the bloodstock team at Tattersalls Ireland, helping the company to further grow its National Hunt business. Rudd is also a respected racecourse steward and sits on the Licensing and Veterinary and Equine Welfare Committee’s with the IHRB.

“I am going to take a little time to consider my options now after my time as general manager at Limerick,” Rudd added. “The experience I have gained while working here has given me invaluable business insights, and this, together with my other previous roles in the industry, has opened a number of possibilities going forward. I would like to thank the chairman and board of Limerick Race Company for the opportunity they gave me and also their help and support in the intervening period”.

Limerick Race Company chairman Mark McMahon said: “We are grateful for the good work Tom did for us over the last 18 months, particularly in building closer relationships with all stakeholders in the industry.”