DOWN Royal Racecourse has appointed a new chief executive, Emma Meehan, who will take up her role in January, which will mark the beginning of a new era for the track. Meehan’s appointment is the first under the new management of Merrion Property Group who take over the day-to-day operation of the venue from January 1st, 2019.

Meehan brings more than a decade of experience in racing/stadium management and marketing at Dundalk Racecourse.

New directors at the racecourse have also been confirmed, including Michael O’Rourke, formerly Director of Marketing and Communications in Horse Racing Ireland, Mark Kershaw, formerly racecourse manager at Ayr, Musselburgh and Newbury and Gareth Graham, a leading figure from the bookmaking industry in Northern Ireland.

Joe Collins, former senior clerk of the course for Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) with over 40 years of experience and manager of several racecourses, will be an advisor to the new team. Down Royal will stage a full diary of racing for 2019. The Down Royal venue is hosting the same number of fixtures in 2019 as this current year and will have the same prize money on offer.

Speaking ahead of taking up her new role, Meehan said: “To anyone involved in racing in Northern Ireland, and indeed throughout the island of Ireland, Down Royal is regarded as the pacesetter for modern racecourses and it is a leading venue here and across the UK.

“I recognise that taking on the management of the venue is a challenge as well as an exciting opportunity. Down Royal is an integral part of the overall horse racing and breeding industry and I look forward to being part of its continuing success and development.

“Our aim from day one is to ensure that racegoers continue to enjoy Down Royal and in fact we will enhance the overall Down Royal experience. This is the beginning of an exciting new era for horse racing in Northern Ireland and throughout the island."

Michael Roden of Merrion Property Group added: “We are delighted that Emma is joining us to head up our team as Down Royal begins a new chapter. The successful growth that she led at Dundalk and the huge experience that she has in all elements of managing a racecourse gives us every confidence in the future of Down Royal.

“We have spent the last year preparing for the onset of a new era at the venue and we will be ready to mark the opening of the 2019 racing season once transitionary plans complete.”

Based in Dublin, Merrion Property acquired the racecourse lands in 2005 but allowed the tenants, the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders, to continue racing there under a 15-year lease. That lease expires at the end of this year.

However, the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders claim that the name 'Down Royal' remains their property and they are investigating the possibility of establishing a new racecourse site.