The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has confirmed the appointment of Mr Joe Keeling, as Chairman of Horse Racing Ireland. He in succession to Mr Denis Brosnan.
Mr Keeling has been Chairman and CEO of the Keeling group of companies, a multi-national group employing in excess of 1,700 people in Ireland, England and Holland. He was also a director and committee member of Fairyhouse race course. He has also experienced horse racing from the perspective of the sponsor, owner, breeder and racegoer.
Announcing the appointment the Minister stated that Mr Keeling is “a very popular and sure-handed” choice to lead the industry given his success in “building an impressive international business and his considerable business acumen”.
The Minister also paid tribute to the outgoing chairman, Mr Denis Brosnan, stating that “Denis has done an outstanding job at the helm of HRI and its predecessor organisations for the past 22 years and he has been steadfast in his commitment to the HRI mission of “developing and promoting Ireland as a world centre of excellence for horseracing and breeding”, throughout his tenure. I wish to thank Denis Brosnan on the enormous contribution he has made to the industry and wish him every success into the future”.
Additionally, the Minister assured the new Chief Executive of the Government’s continued support for the horse racing industry in Ireland, stating that “the Government would strive to bring about the legislative changes necessary to underpin a viable and sustainable horse racing industry, one that will expand employment and create the maximum contribution to the Irish economy.”