The Jockey Club has announced that Michael Wainwright will succeed Martin St Quinton as Chair at Cheltenham Racecourse from May 2026, after the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

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

Brought up on the Wirral he was a regular visitor to Bangor-on-Dee and Aintree racecourses from a young age and 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.

Commenting on the appointment, 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.

“While these roles are rewarding for those who love our sport, they are also extremely demanding, especially in terms of time, and I would like to thank Martin for the dedication, hard work and leadership he has shown during his time as Chair at Cheltenham. I wish Michael every success in succeeding him."