Osborne to step down as chief executive

John Osborne, chief executive of the Irish National Stud, has announced that he is to step down from his role at the operation this year.

He will continue his role until the end of the 2017 breeding season and a recruitment process is underway to find a successor.

Osborne's time with the County Kildare operation coincided with the company turning from considerable losses to strong profits that contributed to improved fortunes under stallion income, bloodstock sales, stud services and tourism.

The stud is home to eight stallions including its flagbearer Invincible Spirit, Dragon Pulse, who is the sire of Group 3 winner Aethos, and Free Eagle, who completed his first season at the operation last year.

He said: "I've been involved at the Irish National Stud for 32 years, including my formative years as a child and later as a director. Now I have completed a seven year contract as chief executive.

"It has been a great privilege to hold that position, once described to me by a racegoer as 'the best job in Ireland!'"

Matt Dempsey, chairman of the Irish National Stud, added: "It's difficult to pay adequate tribute to John Osborne and the effect he has had on the Irish National Stud and the wider equestrian world. He has re-established the Irish National Stud as one of the premier studs in the world as well as developing its tourism offering, stud service and stud management course.

"In over 40 years of dealing with the Irish public service, he encapsulates all that is best in terms of capacity and integrity. We wish him every possible success in whatever future direction he takes.

"We also thank his wife Valerie and family for the unstinting support they gave him in what was an extremely demanding post. He has done the state and the wider thoroughbred industry an enormous service."