LEOPARDSTOWN’S “extensive recruitment campaign” to find a new chief executive has reached its conclusion as Horse Racing Ireland has announced that Southwell Racecourse boss Mark Clayton will take over the reins at the Co Dublin track.

The 48-year-old has been confirmed to succeed interim CEO Vicki Donlon after she accepted a position in Diageo and departed after the Irish Champions Festival last month. She entered the interim role in the aftermath of Tim Husbands’ departure in April.

Clayton has over two decades of experience in racecourse management, including 12 years at Southwell, and prior leadership roles at Doncaster and Huntingdon Racecourses. He will report to HRI Racecourses CEO Paul Dermody when taking up his role in early January, with the Dublin Racing Festival getting underway on the 31st of that month.

“I am very excited to be joining the Leopardstown team,” said Clayton.

“I have worked within the racing and breeding industry for most of my career, and I hope that my extensive racecourse management experience and leadership skills can help drive forward what is already a proven world-class racing facility.”

During his tenure at Southwell, having been at the helm since 2014, he oversaw the rollout of floodlights at the track and notably delivered the switch in racing surface from Fibresand to Tapeta.

Dermody added: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to Leopardstown. He brings a wealth of commercial experience and expertise to the role, combined with a thorough knowledge of the racing industry. Mark has led major racecourse capital projects and will play a key role in leading the future development of the Leopardstown Racecourse campus.”