PONY RACING ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Clarissa Daly is today announced as the new Chief Executive of the Pony Racing Authority (PRA), taking over from Rebecca Davies (nee Morgan) who has been Chief Executive in a voluntary capacity since the PRA's inauguration in 2007. This role will be salaried for the first time. 

Based in Shropshire, Clarissa, wife of National Hunt trainer Henry, has a strong racing knowledge and understanding of the industry. Clarissa brings considerable experience in Marketing and Public Relations to the PRA from her previous roles in Marketing and as Public Relations Officer for the Countryside Alliance.

Commenting on the appointment, Charles Barnett, Chairman of the Pony Racing Authority, said "I'm thrilled that Clarissa has been appointed in this crucial role within an area of the racing industry that is so important to the future of the sport.

"Clarissa and her family are at the heart of the racing community and her and Henry's son competes in Pony Racing, so the family's love of and commitment to this sector of the sport is there for all to see.

"Rebecca has done a wonderful job effectively establishing Pony Racing, getting it going so well and helping to create the PRA.  Without Rebecca's efforts it would have been difficult to achieve this." 

Clarissa added; "I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity - it is my dream job.  I am really looking forward to working with the Board of the PRA and the many others who help make Pony Racing happen. It is such a great initiative and has so much to offer. "

Outgoing Chief Executive Rebecca Davies commented: "I am very pleased that Clarissa has joined the PRA, bringing with her a wealth of talent and expertise to benefit Pony Racing. It is a hugely exciting time for the sport, especially as we recently submitted our application to the Horseracing Grant Scheme and, funding permitting, there are some great initiatives planned to take Pony Racing to the next level.

"It has been a huge honour and privilege to be so closely involved with Pony Racing from the outset. I am enormously proud of how far Pony Racing has come in such a short time and Clarissa is absolutely the right person to take it forward to the next level."