AMY Marnane has been appointed Chairperson of the Breeze-Up Consignors Association (BUCA), taking over from Brendan Holland who steps down after 11 years in the role.

Holland established the group with John Cullinan, who has passed on his title of Vice Chairman to Thomond O’Mara. Joining the BUCA Committee are Roderic Kavanagh, Ger Kennedy and Norman Williamson, with Mark Grant as UK rep.

Following the news, Amy Marnane commented: “I’m absolutely delighted and very proud to take on the role of Chairperson of BUCA. The breeze-up sector has gone from strength to strength, producing more and more winners and, most importantly, top-level performers on the international stage.

“The quality of horses coming through the breeze-up sales continues to rise, and I think that’s a real testament to the talented horsemen and women involved in our industry. There’s a real shared ambition among our members to produce and sell horses that can go on to become top-class racehorses, and I think that’s what makes this sector so exciting.”

Marnane also acknowledged the work of her colleagues, saying: “I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Brendan Holland and John Cullinan, who between them initially established the Breeze-Up Committee. Their incredible leadership, professionalism, foresight and dedication, much of it behind the scenes, is something that all breeze-up consignors and purchasers can be hugely proud of and thankful for.

“Alongside their committee members, Con Marnane, Malcolm Bastard and Jim McCartan, they put an enormous amount of work into establishing and developing the Association, and I think we all owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the foundations they have put in place for us to build on.

“I’d also like to thank Nancy Sexton and Kat Irmer, who play such an important role in the running of the Association through the social media, paperwork and so much of the work that happens behind the scenes.

“Ultimately, our aim is to continue promoting the breeze-up sector and the incredible horses that come through it. Most importantly, I want to maintain the high levels of integrity, professionalism and success that the Association has been built on, while continuing to move the sector forward.”