John Osborne to Step Down From Irish National Stud

John Osborne to Step Down From Irish National Stud

CEO to leave after 2017 breeding season

John Osborne has announced that he will step down from his role as CEO of the INS this year. A recruitment process to find a successor is underway.

Osborne stated “I have been involved at the INS for 32 years, including my formative years as a child and later as a Director. Now I have completed a 7-year contract as CEO. It has been a great privilege to hold that position, once described to me by a racegoer as “the best job in Ireland!”.  Osborne will continue to perform his duties until the end of the 2017 breeding season.

His tenure coincided with the Company turning from considerable losses to strong profits with improved fortunes under all four headings of stallion income, bloodstock sales, stud services and tourism. The INS Stud Management  student programme is globally recognised as a desirable launch pad for many careers. His time also witnessed many major events most memorably the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Chairman Matt Dempsey said “ It is difficult to pay adequate tribute to John Osborne and the effect he has had on the Irish National Stud and the wider equestrian world.  He has re-established The Irish National Stud as one of the premier studs in the world as well as developing its tourism offering, stud services and stud management course.

“In over 40 years of dealing with the Irish public service, he encapsulates all that is best in terms of capacity and integrity.  We wish him every possible success in whatever future direction he takes.  We also thank his wife Valerie and family for the unstinting support they gave him in what was an extremely demanding post.  He has done the State and the wider thoroughbred industry an enormous service.”

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