CHANGING jobs is often a daunting prospect in normal circumstances but likely more so during a global pandemic and when the new position you take up is chief operating officer for a worldwide racing and breeding operation.

This is the case for Paul Hensey, who is five weeks into his new role with Al Shaqab Racing, Breeding and Arabian Worldwide. Hensey is a Kildare native and will be known to many in Irish racing for his 15-year spell as racecourse manager at the Curragh. More recently he was chief executive officer of Rifa Mustang Europe, a breeding/racing venture he set up himself which had the backing of numerous Chinese investors, before an opportunity with Al Shaqab was too good to turn down.