Rudd set to steer Limerick’s future Growth
As a former Irish Grand National winning jockey Tom Rudd will bring his past experiences to the role of General Manager at Limerick Racecourse and the executive, the board and indeed all members of the association of Irish Racecourses are delighted by the popular appointment.
Tom won the 1999 Irish Grand National with Michael O’Brien’s Glebe Lad and other notable career victories include the Galway Plate, Ulster National, Cork National, Kerry Petroleum Chase, Fortria Chase, Denny’s Juvenile Hurdle and Denny’s Gold Medal Novices Chase.
Rudd joins Limerick from Tattersalls Ireland where he made a huge contribution and was an immensely popular member of the team.
Tom is delighted with his new role and said: “I am truly excited to be joining Limerick. I have a passion for the sport of racing, and the wider industry. I look forward to growing Limerick Racecourse into something even better than it is over the coming years. I have, along with the Board, long term plans, and I can’t wait to get into the real action that comes with being General Manager of such a fine facility as Limerick Racecourse.”
Limerick Chairman Mark McMahon commented: “We are delighted that Tom has come on board with us. He has great enthusiasm for our sport, and he is progressive in his plans to further cement Limerick Racecourse as a sporting destination, and much more besides. We wish Tom well and look forward to working with him well into the future.”
Successful Raceday
Racing at Limerick will enjoy a little break now after its two-day meeting this week which hosted a very successful Inter-Firm Race Day in aid of Cliona’s Foundation. Each firm involved was allocated a horse and the winning entrant, based on a points system, earned a wonderful prize of a complimentary race sponsorship – along with the trimmings, such as corporate suite and race day branding – at a fixture at Limerick later in the year. The winning firm was Super Car Wash.
The Inter-Firms Race Day concept is a great way to get new enterprises involved and introduce them to racing and the idea of race sponsorship all the while raising awareness and vital funds for a very worthy local charity.
This year’s themed race day was held in aid of Cliona’s Foundation, a worthy Limerick-based National charity that provides financial assistance directly to parents of children with life-limiting or chronic complex care needs across Ireland. They help with the non-medical expenses related to caring for their child.
The Foundation was set up by Brendan and Terry Ring, following the death of their daughter Cliona, from an inoperable brain tumour in 2006 at the age of 16. Over the years, as Cliona underwent numerous different hospital treatments, Brendan and Terry were struck by the number of families, facing enormous financial hardship, on the brink of financial free-fall, and blindsided by non-medical expenses piling up.
First-hand
They saw first-hand the huge toll it took on these families, already struggling to cope with the nightmare of having a seriously ill child. They decided to take action and set up Cliona’s Foundation, in honour of their daughter, a charity that uniquely provides financial assistance to families with children who have life limiting conditions.
Racing at Limerick Racecourse will be back in full swing in the Autumn, and Munster National Day will take place on October 23rd. This will allow Tom some time to bed down in his new role, plan for the season ahead and rally his team.
The Association of Irish Racecourses wishes Tom every success in his new role and wish all the team at Limerick Racecourse the very best.
By Leo Powell
