O'Neill appointed chief executive of ITM Horse Racing Ireland today announced the appointment of Charles O’Neill to the position of Chief Executive of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM). Charles is from a well-known Kildare equine family and joins ITM from the financial services sector, most recently a senior position at Ulster Bank. He has previous experience working in the racing and breeding industries in France, and Germany and has ridden in point-to-points as an amateur rider. Charles will take up his appointment in early October and joins ITM at a time of great potential for the Irish bloodstock industry. In welcoming the appointment, Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland said: “I am delighted to welcome Charles to the team. His knowledge of the industry and passion for the position shone through at interview and I am certain that he will make a great success of his new appointment. “This is a time of increased competition in the global bloodstock market and ITM will constantly promote the advantages of Ireland as a centre for owning, breeding, training and purchasing bloodstock.” Charles O’Neill said: “I am very much looking forward to taking up the position of Chief Executive of ITM. I have a great passion for horse racing and breeding and I look forward to leading the dedicated and committed team at ITM in identifying new markets and developing existing markets for Irish bloodstock.”