Hornby hopes to keep involvement in racing as he exits gambling industry

Andy Hornby says he still hopes to keep an involvement in horseracing after last week taking up his new role as chief executive of The Restaurant Group following more than eight years in the betting industry.

Hornby first joined the sector in 2011 as chief executive at Coral and then provided continuity for the company in the fast-changing industry, becoming chief operating officer of Ladbrokes Coral following the merger with Ladbrokes in 2016 and then joint-chief operating officer of GVC Holdings after its acquisition of the bookmaker.

"It's been a pleasure," he said. "I've been so lucky to have worked for nearly nine years in the sport I love and it's been really good fun.