Brian O’Rourke appointed Managing Director of the National Stud
The National Stud is pleased to announce that Brian O’Rourke has been appointed its Managing Director.
Brian O’Rourke, 39, has spent his working life in the thoroughbred industry. Based in Lexington, Kentucky for the past dozen years, he is currently employed by London Thoroughbred Services (LTS) as their Bloodstock Agent and Stud Farm Advisor.
As the US representative, Brian O’Rourke provides a range of services to clients of LTS, including purchases and sales, both privately and at auction, of racehorses and breeding stock, stallion syndication and management, as well as advice on matings, insurance and transport. Previously, he was General Manager of Wimbledon Farm in Lexington for seven years. Before moving to Kentucky he worked at Coolmore in Ireland, where his work covered all aspects of stud management.
Brian’s appointment takes effect from 1st October and as Managing Director he will have a seat on the Board of National Stud Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Jockey Club. David Somers, the current Stud Director, is leaving the National Stud at the end of August to take up a new role at Eliza Park Farm in Australia.
Christopher Spence, Chairman of the National Stud, said: “We are delighted that Brian will be joining us. His practical experience of all aspects of horse and farm management combined with his communication skills and knowledge of the industry mean that he is ideally qualified for the role of taking the National Stud forward.
“While it is still relatively early days for the Stud following the transfer from the State to The Jockey Club, an integral part of his role will be reaffirming the standing of the National Stud with the rest of the British Thoroughbred breeding industry."
Brian O’Rourke said: “While I have greatly enjoyed my stay in Kentucky, I jumped at the opportunity to return to Europe to manage the National Stud.
“I am very much looking forward to managing the Stud’s services to the breeding industry and overseeing the role of offering training courses for Stud staff and the provision of public access, activities which make the Stud unique in this country. It is a challenging and exciting opportunity.”
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