Wednesday August 31, 2011

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has appointed Ed Gretton, Clerk of the Course at Chester and Bangor-on-Dee racecourses, to a new position of Director of Racing.

Gretton will be responsible for formulating and leading RMG’s strategy on a range of collective racing issues, including fixture planning.

Racecourse Media Group, the umbrella organisation for the 30 Racecourses which hold an interest in Racing UK, Turf TV and GBI Racing, has developed significantly as a strategic partner to the racecourses over recent years.

RMG Chief Executive, Richard FitzGerald, said: “The RMG Board was united in the search for a strong racing executive to further develop our racecourses’ commercial opportunities.

“Securing Ed Gretton is a strong endorsement of how seriously we take the role and it shows how important significant issues, such as fixture planning, are for our future commercial success.”

Richard Thomas, Chief Executive of Chester Race company (Chester and Bangor-On-Dee racecourses), said: “It will be difficult to replace Ed after his eight fantastic years as Clerk of the Course, but we totally endorse the new role at RMG and obviously look forward to working closely with Ed in the future.

“Critical items such as the fixture list and on-course operations will increasingly influence the long-term future of our racing.”

Gretton, who will take up his new role in November, said: “It will be sad to leave Chester and Bangor-on-Dee but having been involved in the industry discussions on fixtures for the last few years – on behalf of the large independent courses – I am well aware of the challenges that lie ahead and the opportunity they present to create a more viable and successful industry.

“RMG has proved itself in the media rights field and I look forward to helping extend that collective approach going forward.”