ORLA McKenna has been appointed head of bloodstock with Tattersalls Ireland.

Having joined the company’s bloodstock team in 2006, McKenna has vast experience in co-ordinating sale entries and being a point of contact for vendors throughout the sales process.

She competed in pony club competitions and pony racing from a young age, and rode the winner of the Dingle Derby. She also rode as an amateur for the late Dessie Hughes and returned to the saddle in 2018 when she took part in the Corinthian Challenge.

McKenna said: “I am proud to be associated with such a strong brand within the industry and I look forward to working closely with our unrivalled inspection panel as we turn our attention to securing top quality horses for the Derby Sale and May Store Sale as well as the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale.”