Our Racecourse Committee
Racecourse ChairMAN
Julia Budd
Julia was elected to The Jockey Club in 2008 and appointed a Steward in 2012. Julia is also Chairman of Epsom Downs Racecourse having taken up the role after The Investec Derby Festival 2016. Julia was a founding Partner of leading board search firm, The Zygos Partnership, which was sold earlier in 2018 to Russell Reynolds Associates, where she is now a Managing Director in the board practice group. She focuses on Chairman, CEO and Non-Executive Director appointments. Julia is also a member of the UK Government’s Professional and Business Services Council. She was a racecourse steward at Epsom, Windsor and Kempton and has shares on horses with, amongst others, William Haggas, Andrew Balding, Mick Easterby and Oliver Sherwood.
Racecourse Committee
Clare Balding OBE
Clare is a well-known broadcaster, journalist and author with a lifelong association with horse-racing. She was appointed to the Jockey Club in January 2017.
DARBY DENNIS
Darby is a member of the Jockey Club and a former Director of Newmarket Racecourse. A farmer by profession, Darby has over 20 years’ experience as a racecourse steward and has sat on the BHA Stewarding Committee.
brian finch
Brian spent a large part of his working career in various marketing and general management positions for a British multinational company. He is currently semi-retired. Brian is a member of the Racecourse Committee at Sandown Park and is also a Trustee of the National Horseracing Museum.
ALEX FROST
Alex worked as a banker/trader for 20 years and currently works in project finance. He is the owner of Ladyswood Stud in Wiltshire.
KATIE KERSHAW
Katie is an Associate at the multi-national law firm Slaughter & May and has a long-standing interest in racehorses.
SIMON PHILIP
Simon spent his business career in professional services, latterly as a partner in Deloitte. He is Chairman of Kent County Cricket Club and the Epsom Training Grounds Management Board, as well as being a Kent Ambassador. Simon organises several syndicates that have horses in training with Nicky Henderson and Toby Lawes. The syndicates’ horses owned include Might Bite, winner of the 2017 King George VI Steeplechase. Simon is also a member of the Racecourse Commitee at Kempton Park Racecourse.
TIM SYDER
Tim is a Chartered Accountant With a 30-year career in private equity. He was a founder of Electra Partners, a specialist investor in medium sized unquoted companies. Appointed a Jockey Club member in 2017, he has a number of National Hunt horses in training with Emma Lavelle & Oliver Sherwood amongst others.