The Jockey Club today announces the appointment of new racecourse Chairs at Cheltenham and Epsom Downs, along with a new non-executive role of International Ambassador.

• Michael Wainwright will succeed Martin St Quinton as Chair of Cheltenham Racecourse in May 2026, after the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
• Andy Hornby will take over from Brian Finch as Chair of Epsom Downs Racecourse from November 1st 2025, following the end of the 2025 Season.
• Having concluded his term as Epsom Downs Chair, Brian Finch will take on the newly created non-executive role of Jockey Club International Ambassador.

 

CHELTENHAM – MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT

A lifelong Jump racing fan, Michael Wainwright has been on Cheltenham Racecourse’s committee since 2019.

Michael was brought up in the Wirral and was a regular visitor to Bangor-on-Dee and Aintree racecourses from a young age. He now co-owns Ga Law, winner of the 2022 Paddy Power Chase, amongst other horses.

As a qualified Chartered Accountant, Michael joined his family business, Boodles, in 1984. Having been Managing Director for many years, he stepped away from the day-to-day running of the company in 2024 and is now Executive Chairman.

Michael is also Chairman of The Goldsmiths’ Centre, which helps to train and fund opportunities for young jewellers and silversmiths and was a trustee of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity for many years.

He will take over in May 2026 from Martin St Quinton, who became Chair at Cheltenham Racecourse in 2019 when succeeding Robert Waley-Cohen.

EPSOM DOWNS – ANDY HORNBY

Andy Hornby has a wealth of experience in retail and business, including in the bookmaking industry, and is a passionate racing fan.

Having started his business career at ASDA, Andy was CEO of HBOS and Alliance Boots before entering the racing world when he was appointed CEO of Coral in 2011, before becoming COO of Ladbrokes Coral after the merger between the two bookmakers in 2016. Andy left the bookmaking industry to take over as CEO of The Restaurant Group in 2019, a role he still holds today. The Restaurant Group owns a wide range of quality restaurant and pub brands across the UK including its flagship brand, Wagamama.

Andy joined the Epsom Downs Racecourse Committee in 2023 and is also Chair of Jockey Club Catering - The Jockey Club’s joint venture with Compass Group.

He will succeed Brian Finch as Chair of Epsom Downs on November 1st. Brian has served as Chair of Epsom Downs since 2022 when he took over from Julia Budd.

Peter Stanley has also been appointed to the Epsom Downs racecourse committee, with a particular focus on supporting the team reinvigorating The Derby. Stanley, who was elected a Member of The Jockey Club in 2001, was a Steward of The Jockey Club between 2014 and 2022 and Chair of Jockey Club Estates from 2018 to 2022 and is also a current member of the committee at Newmarket Racecourses.

INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADOR – BRIAN FINCH

Brian Finch takes on a newly created non-executive role of Jockey Club International Ambassador from November 1st.

In his new role Brian will represent The Jockey Club internationally and focus on developing and maintaining relationships with key international stakeholders.

Brian will support senior executives at The Jockey Club who are responsible for international engagement activities, while also representing the organisation at major horseracing events globally and hosting international guests at domestic festivals and high profile racedays.

Brian is a passionate racing fan since childhood visits to Borrowdale Racecourse in Harare, Zimbabwe. He joined the Epsom Downs Racecourse Committee in 2021 and succeeded Julia Budd as Chair the following year.

Commenting on the appointments, The Jockey Club’s Senior Steward, Baroness Dido Harding, said: “We are incredibly fortunate at The Jockey Club to be able to draw on such a wide range of knowledge, experience and expertise when it comes to non-executive roles across the Group.

“This is demonstrated not only by the calibre of those taking on the roles of Chair but also by the dedication, hard work and leadership shown by Martin and Brian on the Cheltenham and Epsom Downs racecourse committees and the support they have provided to the teams at both racecourses.

“While these roles are rewarding for those who love our sport, they are also extremely demanding, especially in terms of time. I would like to thank them for the commitment and enthusiasm that they have both shown and wish Michael and Andy every success in succeeding them.

“I am also delighted to be appointing Brian to the newly-created non-executive role of Jockey Club International Ambassador. Our sport is a truly global one and our relationships with international stakeholders, whether regulators, racecourse operators, participants, owners, sponsors or investors, have never been more important. Brian will play an important role in supporting our senior executives with these relationships and ensuring we continue to strengthen our ties in the international racing community.”