09.05.07 - RACING AT AINTREE

New Managing Director at Aintree Racecourse

Aintree Racecourse is pleased to announce that Julian Thick has been appointed managing director of Aintree with effect from May 21, 2007. He succeeds Charles Barnett who is leaving to take up a similar role at Ascot.

The appointment will mean a return to Liverpool for Julian who joined Aintree in 1992 in an operational capacity. In 1995 he moved to Kempton Park as general manager and was promoted to managing director in 2002. Julian, who is 37, stayed there until September 2006, overseeing the completion of the development of the floodlit all-weather track. He was then appointed managing director at Sandown Park.

Lord Daresbury, chairman of Aintree, commented:
“I am delighted that Julian has accepted the role of Aintree Managing Director. It is totally fitting that someone trained by Charles Barnett at Aintree should return to take on his role. It will be a hard act to follow, but I am confident that Aintree will continue to flourish as Julian builds on Charles’s considerable achievements.

“Julian will lead an experienced and dedicated team, headed by Racing Director, Andrew Tulloch, who produced the racecourse in such wonderful condition at the recent John Smith’s Grand National Meeting. In addition to his role as Racing Director, Andrew will also be responsible for developing the new Equestrian Centre.”

Andrew Coppel, chief executive of Jockey Club Racecourses, said:
“Julian will make an outstanding managing director at Aintree. It is one of Europe’s top racecourse managerial positions and I am confident that, on the back of the solid foundation established by his predecessor and the capable Aintree team, he will be able to drive the course to even greater performance heights, exceeding customer expectations with the superb new facilities at this venue.

“At Sandown Park, Andrew Cooper, director of racing and clerk of the course, will assume responsibility as managing director until a permanent appointment is made in the near future.”

Julian Thick, the new managing director at Aintree, added:
“I am very excited about the prospect of returning to Liverpool. I have much enjoyed my time at both at Kempton and Sandown and I will be sad to leave but the chance to re-join the team at Aintree as managing director was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Notes

1. Aintree Racecourse is part of Jockey Club Racecourses, the largest racecourse group in the UK and responsible for the operation of a diverse portfolio of 14 tracks. Also included in the portfolio are Kempton Park and Sandown Park.
2. Jockey Club Racecourses host 80% of Grade 1 Jump races and stage many of the country’s most iconic races and events, including the Grand National and the Cheltenham Festival, as well as four of the five Flat classics.
3. All profits generated by courses within the group are reinvested in the sport, primarily on upgrading facilities and prize money.