BHB Director, Sir Eric Parker, is to join the Horserace Betting Levy Board with immediate effect, in succession to BHB Chairman, Peter Savill, who resigned in November last year.
Sir Eric, who is also President of the Racehorse Owners Association, was nominated as one of three racing representatives on the Levy Board by the British Horseracing Board last week and the appointment was approved by the Stewards of the Jockey Club yesterday.
Sir Eric, 66, a successful businessman and prominent owner/breeder, was Chief Executive and later Deputy Chairman of Trafalgar House Group until his retirement in1993. He holds a number of non-executive directorships.
A member of the ROA Council since 1994, Sir Eric was elected President in 1998 and became a BHB Director last year. Sir Eric is the owner of Crimbourne Stud in Sussex and currently has eight horses in training with Robert Armstrong, John Dunlop, Nicky Henderson and Amanda Perrett.
Sir Eric originally raced mainly under N.H. rules, winning the 1991 Grand National with Seagram and the 1993 Whitbread Gold Cup with Topsham Bay, both trained by David Barons.
In 1991, Crimbourne Stud commenced breeding activities for the top end of the flat racing market and now has 16 mares. Over the years, a number of high quality foals and yearlings have resulted, including Mons and Rowaasi. Flat racing and dual-purpose winners racing in Sir Eric’s colours include Gaasid and Shujan (Reg Akehurst), Moonlight Paradise (John Dunlop) and Indian Lodge, who won four races as a three-year-old last year and remains in training with Amanda Perrett.
Commenting on his appointment, Sir Eric said: “”I look forward to working with colleagues on the Levy Board at an important time for the industry. There is much to be done for the overall benefit of racing and I hope to be able to make a contribution.””
BHB Chief Executive, Tristram Ricketts, said: “”As an experienced owner/breeder, Sir Eric is very well-placed to represent racing’s interests at this crucial time for the industry.””
NOTE TO EDITORS:
1. Sir Eric Parker’s appointment runs to 30th June 2001 when his current term as a BHB Director expires.
2. The two other BHB nominees on the Levy Board are Angus Crichton-Miller and David Oldrey.
MD say’s NC
