Andrew Morris has been announced as The Jockey Club’s new Racing and Industry Relations Director.
Morris will move from his current role as Director of Racing and Training Grounds at The Jockey Club’s Newmarket and Lambourn hub, having joined the organisation as Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Newmarket in 2023.
His appointment follows Racing Director Richard Norris’s decision to leave next month, after 22 years at the organisation.
A graduate of the University of London and the British Horseracing Authority’s Graduate Development Programme, Morris began his career with The Jockey Club at Market Rasen before qualifying as a Clerk of the Course. After time as Clerk of the Course for Warwick and Huntingdon racecourses he joined Chester Race Company in 2012.
At Chester, he went on to occupy senior roles for more than a decade, serving as General Manager, Head of Racing and Director of Racing up until May 2022. During his time at Chester, Morris also gained global experience while on secondment in Dubai and Singapore.
He then spent time in Australia and was Racing Manager at Moonee Valley Race Club, where was responsible for the delivery of the Cox Plate.
Morris’s new role will combine industry and stakeholder relations with overseeing The Jockey Club’s racing department and its broad range of responsibilities, including fixture planning and prize money.
Speaking about his appointment, Andrew Morris said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this new role at what is a really important time for both The Jockey Club and British racing. We are fortunate to have such a strong and dedicated racing department, both centrally and in our clerks of the course across the country, and I’m looking forward to working with them on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Newmarket and owe a great deal of thanks to Sophie Able and the whole team there for being so supportive and making me feel so welcome from the moment I arrived.”
Morris will report directly to The Jockey Club’s Group Chief Executive, Jim Mullen, who added: “In appointing a new Racing and Industry Relations Director it was important to us to have someone who can drive and lead our stakeholder and participant engagement, while also maintaining our focus on the race programme and all our other racing responsibilities.
“With a wealth of experience in the industry, both in the UK and abroad, Andrew fits the bill perfectly and I wish him every success in this important role.”
The Jockey Club will now begin the process of appointing a new Director of Racing and Training Grounds for its Newmarket and Lambourn hub.
