Stephen Wallis Promoted to Group Director of Jockey Club Racecourses

Jockey Club Racecourses (JCR), look the largest racecourse group in British horseracing has announced today the appointment of Stephen Wallis to a new senior role of Group Director of International and Racing Relations.

Wallis has been Managing Director of JCR’s Newmarket Racecourses since 2007 and prior to that Managing Director of fellow JCR course Epsom Downs Racecourse, which he joined in 1994.

Paul Fisher, Group Managing Director of Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “It is becoming increasingly important for our business to build the strongest possible relations with all of racing’s key parties, at home and overseas. Jockey Club Racecourses will benefit hugely from using Stephen’s experience and knowledge on a Group-wide basis, listening, learning and acting for the good of our sport.

“In practical terms, we want Stephen to get out there, ensuring the best horses are running in our flagship events, through to encouraging all Horsemen to support our racedays in return for the industry-leading contributions we make to British racing. He will be asking many people in the racing industry what more Jockey Club Racecourses can do for them.

“We are grateful for the telling contribution he has made to Newmarket Racecourses and British racing as a whole in these past four years, which we believe will continue to pay dividends in the future.”

Wallis commented on his appointment: “After 18 years in day-to-day racecourse management, I’m excited about taking up this new challenge. I’m immensely proud to have run Newmarket Racecourses and would like to thank my colleagues and the racing community for the support they gave me during my tenure there.

“I am really looking forward to my new role and the progressive development of Jockey Club Racecourses, who in turn, have been unbelievably supportive to me over the last few months as I’ve been recovering from illness.”

Julian Richmond-Watson, Chairman of Newmarket Racecourses, added: “On behalf of the directors and staff, I would like to thank Stephen for his excellent contribution as well as the dedication he has shown to Newmarket Racecourses. His knowledge of the sport and his enthusiasm for the Home of Horseracing will be greatly missed by us all.

“I cannot think of anyone better qualified or suited to this exciting new role within The Jockey Club and at Newmarket we look forward to working closely with him in improving International and UK racing relations where we wish him every success.”

A recruitment process will now be launched to appoint a new Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourses. The course’s Finance Director, Gary Tate, will continue to operate as Acting Managing Director during this process.