Perth announces joint successors to outgoing chief executive Hazel Peplinski

Perth racecourse will appoint joint successors to chief executive Hazel Peplinski in January with Morag Connaghan and Matthew Taylor sharing the management responsibilities.

Peplinski became the track's first chief executive in 2016 but plans to retire from full-time work at the end of the year, with Connaghan and Taylor taking over as head of business and head of racing and operations respectively.

Connaghan has served the racecourse for 20 years, initially as company secretary before becoming finance manager, while Taylor joined at the start of 2019 in the new post of racing manager.

The succession plan is independent of the joint proposal with Scone Estates regarding future ownership and running of the racecourse, which remains under discussion with an update expected shortly.

Peplinski has been involved in the management of Scottish tracks for three decades and will serve as Perth chief executive until December 31.

She said: "I am delighted that the Perth Hunt Committee supports my recommended succession plan, which has always been to promote from within rather than to recruit externally. I have been evolving our small team with this day in mind for a while now, so it is a proud moment for sure.

"Morag and Matthew between them have the required skills and experience and richly deserve this promotion. To my mind they are best placed to take this special racecourse forward."

Update on the joint proposal between Perth and Scone Estates expected soonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

On her promotion and new role, Connaghan said: "This is a very proud day for me, it will be a true privilege to jointly manage Perth racecourse. We have such excellent equine facilities for a small rural racecourse, our spectacular Perthshire location enabling us to build a loyal band of racegoers enjoying our wonderful sport and ensuring our stands are always full throughout the summer creating a brilliant atmosphere. I will work tirelessly with Matthew to make sure that continues."

Taylor added: "I am thrilled to be given the honour and responsibility to jointly manage Perth racecourse from the new year. We have invested much more into the racing surface in recent years, with welfare of horse and jockey remaining high on our list of priorities.

"We have focused on ensuring the fundamentals are spot on and earned that trust that shall stand us in good stead across the whole operation. It is my commitment to further build on that, alongside Morag, in 2023."

The first meeting the new pairing will preside over is the three-day Perth festival, which opens the track's season on April 26-28.

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