Growing roster sees assistant manager installed at Tweenhills

Qatar Racing has appointed Ivo Thomas as assistant manager of Tweenhills, the home of Qatar Racing stallions.

Thomas, 24, joins after a year-long spell in Australia working alongside trainer Matt Cumani. Previously, he was assistant trainer to Brian Meehan for three years, a result of winning the John Durkan Award while graduating from the Irish National Stud.

As assistant manager Thomas will be involved in helping with the day-to-day running of the stud, stallion nominations, client relations, and will act as a point of contact for enquiries.

Thomas said: "I'm very excited to be joining the Qatar Racing team at Tweenhills. My dream of becoming a jockey died pretty quickly as I was growing up and I got my first break in the industry here four years ago. I spent a year here learning the ropes and it's great to be back.

"This is a growing stud on the up and is going in the right direction very quickly. We've got some wonderful stallions already standing here and have the potential for more to come."

With Group 1 winner Lightning Spear and Australian sensation Zoustar both confirmed to join the Tweenhills stallion ranks for the 2019 breeding season, it is an exciting time for the Qatar Racing team, which has had one of its greatest seasons to date on the track.

David Redvers, manager of Tweenhills, added: "Ivo has a lot of experience for somebody so young and we're thrilled to have him join the team. Roaring Lion has been a huge success for Qatar Racing on the track, but in the breeding sheds we have seen the success of Charm Spirit, Havana Gold and Hot Streak this season.

"With Zoustar and Lightning Spear set to join next season, another pair of hands for the team was essential and Ivo fit the bill perfectly. We're looking to build a backroom team here at Tweenhills which matches the talent we have at the stud and on the racecourse.”

Having most recently spent time in Australia, Thomas is well aware of the impact Zoustar is having down under.

"Being in Australia, I've been very aware of what he has been up to and the records he is breaking. I hope the English breeders take to him because he could be very exciting.

"His progeny are constantly winning big races, but he's also from a sire line that gets better with time, yet these have been phenomenal two-year-olds so if they can continue to improve as he did himself then he's hugely exciting."

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