THERE are major personnel changes in the pipeline for the role of clerk of the course at Irish tracks.

The changes have been prompted by the decision taken by senior clerks Brendan Sheridan and Lorcan Wyer to take a step back in their duties. Both of these vastly experienced racing officials are staying with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board but Sheridan will only cover Naas, Punchestown and Laytown, while Wyer will be reassigned to areas such as judging and clerk of the scales.

Niall Cronin, the IHRB’s communications manager, said: “We’re very fortunate that Brendan and Lorcan are remaining within the organisation so that their successors can benefit from their knowledge and experience. This is in keeping with our strategic objective in relation to succession planning.”

Former jockeys Shane Ryder and Niall [Slippers] Madden have been appointed as clerks of the course. Cronin said: “They have both worked in the point-to-point field and they have received extensive training in the last number of months, shadowing the current clerks at the tracks where they will be working in 2026. We also have [current clerks] Paddy Graffin, Brian Hamilton and Paul Moloney there to assist them if needed.”

The Clerk of the Course is essentially responsible for ensuring that the racing surface is presented in the best possible condition on racedays. They work with the track foreman in the days leading up to the race and with the starter on racedays. They also have the ultimate responsibility for deciding on the bypassing of a hurdle or fence, and in rare cases must decide if a race should be stopped in the interest of safety.

Cronin said: “The role has not changed over the years but weather patterns have changed. Extreme conditions, such as heavier rainfall and longer dry spells, have led to more difficulties in track preparation. We are very proud of the clerks we have and we are looking forward to Shane and Niall joining the team and learning from them.”

Separately, photo-finish judge Andrew McKeever will retire at Down Royal next Monday.

Clerks of the course

  • Ballinrobe – Shane Ryder replaces Lorcan Wyer
  • Bellewstown – Brian Hamilton replaces Lorcan Wyer
  • Clonmel – Paul Moloney replaces Lorcan Wyer
  • Cork – Remains Paul Moloney
  • Curragh – Paddy Graffin replaces Brendan Sheridan
  • Downpatrick – Remains Brian Hamilton
  • Down Royal – Remains Brian Hamilton
  • Dundalk – Niall Madden replaces Brendan Sheridan
  • Fairyhouse – Brian Hamilton replaces Brendan Sheridan
  • Galway – Shane Ryder replaces Lorcan Wyer
  • Gowran Park – Remains Paddy Graffin
  • Killarney – Remains Paul Moloney
  • Kilbeggan – Niall Madden replaces Paul Moloney
  • Laytown – Remains Brendan Sheridan
  • Leopardstown – Paddy Graffin replaces Lorcan Wyer
  • Listowel – Remains Paul Moloney
  • Limerick – Shane Ryder replaces Paul Moloney
  • Naas – Remains Brendan Sheridan
  • Navan – Brian Hamilton replaces Paddy Graffin
  • Punchestown – Remains Brendan Sheridan
  • Roscommon – Shane Ryder replaces Lorcan Wyer
  • Sligo – Remains Brian Hamilton
  • Tipperary – Remains Paddy Graffin
  • Thurles – Paul Moloney replaces Lorcan Wyer
  • Tramore – Niall Madden replaces Paddy Graffin
  • Wexford – Niall Madden replaces Paul Moloney