VAL O’Connell has retired as a clerk of the course after 22 years with the Turf Club and Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. He received a presentation at Limerick on December 29th to mark his final day in the job.

He told The Irish Field: “I covered Limerick, Listowel, Killarney, Cork and Wexford. I am stepping back now, not stepping out. I will continue to inspect point-to-point tracks, issue starting stall certificates and act as assistant clerk at festival meetings if required.”

He added: “I would like to thank all the managers, foremen and groundstaff who worked alongside me. Without their cooperation my job would have been a lot more difficult. The foremen and the staff do all the hard work.”