Matt Mitchell confirmed as Tattersalls Ireland CEO

Matt Mitchell has been appointed as CEO of Tattersalls Ireland.

Having served as a non-executive director of the company since the purchase of the Cheltenham and Ascot Sales from Brightwells, Mitchell took up his new position from Tuesday and also joins the board of Tattersalls in Newmarket.

Mitchell, a native of Newport, County Tipperary, joined Irish Thoroughbred Marketing as general manager in 1992, before becoming managing director of Goffs Bloodstock Sales in 2000.

He then joined the thoroughbred division of Brightwells as head of bloodstock, and joined the board of Tattersalls Ireland when Tattersalls acquired Cheltenham and Ascot Sales in 2015.

"The Tattersalls Group sets the standard for bloodstock auctioneers throughout the world and it is an enormous privilege to be taking on the role of Tattersalls Ireland CEO and to be joining the Tattersalls board," said Mitchell.

"The success and growth at Tattersalls Ireland in recent years is a tribute to the whole team. It has been a pleasure to have been a part of this dedicated team for the past three years and I look forward with optimism to working with them all in my new position."

Tattersalls Ireland also announced on Tuesday that director of bloodstock sales Neil Walsh will become a non-executive director as he takes on the management of his family farm in County Kilkenny.

Meanwhile Roger Casey, who since the death of George Mernagh has carried out the role of managing director, will continue in his original role of finance director and company secretary.

"Matt Mitchell is already a key member of the Tattersalls Ireland management team and is a hugely respected figure throughout the thoroughbred industry," said Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahoney.

"His appointment comes at a time of sustained expansion for Tattersalls Ireland overseen by our finance director Roger Casey, and with an important Tattersalls Ireland board member going part-time to manage family business interests, Matt’s appointment will bring the continuity and stability that is so important as Tattersalls Ireland continues to go from strength to strength."