EBF To Go Forward Under New Chairman

Harry McCalmont, owner of Norelands Stud in Ireland, takes over from the long-serving Michael Wates as chairman of the co-ordinating committee of the European Breeders' Fund on January 1.

Wates steps down after 18 years as chairman and 24 years in all on the co-ordinating committee of the important organisation which injects substantial amounts of prize money into European racing.

McCalmont becomes only the third chairman since the EBF was founded in 1983 as the European counterpart to the fledgling American Breeders' Cup scheme which was established for the purpose of revitalising the American racing industry through revenue drawn from stallion fees.

The EBF was intended to be not only a measure of self-help for European racing, but also a means of securing access for European horses to some of the benefits of the Breeders´ Cup scheme through cross registration. These aims and more have been achieved.

It will be a poignant moment for McCalmont when he becomes chairman in the New Year because his late father, Victor, was the initial chairman.

McCalmont commented: 'I have been a governor of the Irish EBF for 14 years and chairman of the Irish EBF for eight or nine years so I have been on the co-ordinating committee for that time.

'It is a very nice thing to be able to take up the chairmanship. My father, I believe, was a very well respected chairman and I'm delighted to be able to follow in his footsteps and also to be able to take over from Michael Wates who has held the position for 18 years.

'Michael has been a very good chairman for the EBF. His contribution has been extraordinary and he has not missed a single meeting in the past 18 years.

'We have been through some ups and downs and have had some disagreements around the table and Michael has always conducted the meetings with skill and extra fairness.'

The original participating countries in the EBF were France, Britain and Ireland. They were joined in 1986 by Germany and Italy, with Switzerland coming on board three years later.

'Michael has been perceived by all the countries in the EBF as being an extremely fair and impartial chairman and I only hope that I can do the same,' explained McCalmont.

'I am particularly looking forward to meeting and talking with the Breeders' Cup team - our counterparts in the USA, which is an extremely important facet of the EBF.

'They are expanding the Breeders' Cup with a further three new races next year so I think it is very important that the EBF is seen to be a partner in the Breeders' Cup races and to be involved in the whole operation.

'I will also be reminding them of the enormous contribution that the Europeans have made to the Breeders' Cup over the years and that there has been something in excess of US$4-billlion (dollars) worth of yearlings imported from the US by Europeans since the Breeders' Cup started.'

The new chairman is keen to see the EBF expand.

He reported: 'We have had visiting delegates from various Eastern European countries at our meetings and it is very much on our agenda to try and spread the EBF message into new countries that are becoming a force in both racing and breeding.

'Turkey would be a priority for us as they have such strong racing and a good breeding programme - the prize money is very good there and it is important to talk to them.'

Only Sam Sheppard, the EBF's chief executive and secretary, can match Wates' commitment to the EBF since the organisation was formed.

Wates reflected on his time with the EBF: 'It has been a big chunk of my life and I have enjoyed the role.

'It has been rewarding in so much as the EBF has progressed immensely in the last 24 years. A lot of money comes in from the United States now, the stallion owners in Europe have totally accepted the scheme and it is working very well.

'But 18 years is long enough and I am delighted that Harry McCalmont is taking over as chairman. I have got to the age where I should be giving jobs up and not taking them on.'

There have been plenty of achievements but the one he picks out for special mention is the fruitful relationship with America.

'I think the thing that I have been most pleased about is the relationship that we've had with Breeders' Cup and, through that relationship, we have built up a good in-flow of dollars each year into European racing.

'Each European nation decides what it does with its own money. I look from above if you like. I have seen virtually all the monies going into prize money and I think that has been of huge significance, particularly in Britain where prize money has been so poor. I think that owners are delighted that the EBF is contributing to prize money at ever-increasing levels.

'The big thing is that we have supported maiden races and fillies' races, but the policy is very much down to the individual countries. The EBF's role is to ensure that the agreement between the countries is honoured and we use the money correctly.

'I do think that the involvement of Germany and Italy from 1986 and Switzerland's participation from 1989 has brought greater unity to European racing. We are looking forward to when we get some of the Eastern European countries involved.

'We already sponsor some races in Eastern Europe to raise our profile. Turkey is a thoroughly good racing and breeding country,

'I would like to think it won't be too long before we get those countries fully involved in the EBF. I absolutely believe there will be further expansion.'

Wates is more than happy with his successor at the EBF.

'Harry takes over on January 1 and the nice thing is that it has gone full circle as his father Major Victor McCalmont was the first chairman and I followed him, so Harry will be the third chairman, following in his father's footsteps.'

He looked back to the formation of the EBF in 1983.

'I think the Breeders' Cup inspired the Europeans - people like Alec Head, John Magnier and Bob McCreery - to see if we could do something similar.

'We have had this wonderful cross relationship which sees their horses racing in Europe and our horses having access to the Breeders' Cup.

'At times it was quite a shaky relationship and, in the darker days, I worried it might be lost but now it is very strong and every year we go to the Breeders' Cup and are looked after royally. I'm sure the relationship will go on for a very long time and I am proud of that.

'My time at the EBF has been very enjoyable and I have had great support from all members of the committee throughout and all the countries have understood at times that we need to give and take in order to get things done. It has been a joy to work with them.

'I started as a BEBF trustee and then I succeeded Victor McCalmont as chairman while still a trustee of the BEBF. I then retired as a BEBF trustee and the committee flatteringly asked me to stay on as an independent chairman, which I have done for the last 10 years or so. It has been very rewarding.

'I was a trustee right from the outset. I have attended every meeting of the EBF. We had our 80th meeting recently and Sam Sheppard and I are the only ones who have been to them all.'