Our Racecourse Committee
Racecourse Chairwoman
Julia Budd
Julia was elected to The Jockey Club in 2008 and appointed a Steward in 2012 and Deputy Senior Steward in 2018. 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.
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.
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.
DAVID WATT
David has worked in the Leisure, Sport and Entertainment Industry, principally as a business developer and marketeer for over 25 years, including running the hospitality operation for three Ryder Cups. He is a partner with the Sports Consulting Group helping clients with F&B and hospitality projects.