New Racecourse & Point to Point Manager Appointed
Published: 28 September 1999
The Jockey Club has appointed Charlie Lane as Manager of its Racecourse and Point to Point Department. He will replace Simon Claisse, who in October is moving to Cheltenham Racecourse as Clerk of the Course.
Tony Goodhew, the Jockey Club Director of Racecourse Services said of the appointment: “This is a job that requires agricultural expertise together with a thorough knowledge of racing and Point to Pointing. Charlie is well qualified on all three counts. His qualifications in agricultural and equine science combined with his current and previous work experience, which includes an impressive practical knowledge of horses, mean that he is very well equipped to take on the responsibilities the role demands.”
Currently the Head of Equine Business Management at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Charlie Lane, 43, has extensive experience in a wide variety of equine activities, in particular Horse Racing, Point to Pointing and Eventing.
He successfully rode in Point to Points and under National Hunt Rules between 1975 and 1991, the highlight of which was a victory in the 1988 Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown. Since retiring from race riding he has acted as a racecourse steward at both Kempton and Sandown and is a qualified Chairman of a stewards’ panel. In addition, he has been a regular steward at Point to Point fixtures since 1991.
Competing in Horse Trials he enjoyed numerous successes on a wide variety of horses at all levels, including the British Open One Day Event Championship in 1975. He is currently competing on his own Advanced horse as well riding Novice and Intermediate horses for other owners. For many years he has been closely involved with the running of Horse Trials in Britain and was the Chef d’Equipe for the Senior British Three Day Event Team from 1992 to 1996.
Prior to a successful and varied military career, he studied Agriculture and Forest Science at Christ Church, Oxford and took a Postgraduate Diploma in Equine Science at the University College of Wales. Whilst serving in the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery, he held a number positions and appointments including Commanding Officer of The Kings Troop (1991-93). Before joining the Royal Agricultural College in 1994, he was a Staff Officer for the Defence Intelligence Service.
Notes for Editors:
The Manager of the Racecourse and Point to Point Department has responsibility for monitoring and evaluating the performance of licensed racecourses in relation to the Jockey Club standards, as well as regulating the activities of Point to Point racing across the country. The incumbent has the opportunity to make a major contribution towards minimising risks to both horse and rider, as well as working towards the continuous improvement of facilities and procedures at both professional and amateur levels.
