Martin Broughton has been unanimously elected by the British Horseracing Board as its next Chairman, a position which he will take up on 1st July.

Broughton, 56, appointed for a three-year term, said today:

‘I am honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to lead Racing, a sport which I have loved for nearly all of my life. In a period of unprecedented change, the last few years have seen Racing make tremendous progress in many areas under Peter Savill’s leadership and it is essential that the sport continues to flourish.

‘As Racing develops new structures and practices to encourage ever greater commercial opportunities, the role of the governing authority remains of critical importance. I have been very much encouraged that all sectors of Racing have reaffirmed their commitment to and belief in a strong, central body which exists to promote the interests of the sport as a whole.

‘I see it as my role to ensure a focused and co-ordinated approach by Racing to the important issues which it will face over the coming months and years.’

Outgoing Chairman Peter Savill, who steps down on 30th June from a position he has held since 1998, commented: ‘I am delighted that Martin has been chosen by the Board. He has a first-class commercial background and has impressed everyone with his impartial and incisive contribution to the Board as an Independent Director since 1999. I am in no doubt that he is the right man to lead Racing and BHB in the future.’

For further information, please contact BHB Communications Manager Alan Delmonte on 020 7343 3318 or 07931 701536