Irish Field journalist announced as new CEO of Irish Trainers Association

A major shake-up of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) has taken place with Ryan McElligott announced as the new chief executive and trainer Ado McGuinness set to assume the role of chairman.

McElligott, a well-respected journalist with the Irish Field and a key cog in the Gordon Elliott machine for the last number of years, will take over from Michael Grassick, who has spent the best part of a decade in the position since replacing Jim Kananagh in January 2013.

McElligott said: "I'm very excited and enthused to take on this new challenge. I look back on my last two decades with the Irish Field and in the press room with huge fondness. I've enjoyed absolutely every minute of it and I hope that the experience I've picked up in that time will help me in my new role.