Brian O’Rourke, a former Central Kentucky farm manager who had been working as a bloodstock agent, has been hired as managing director of the National Stud in Newmarket.

O'Rourke, 39, will replace David Somers, who is resigning to take a new position at Eliza Park in Australia.

O’Rourke is a bloodstock agent in Kentucky for London Thoroughbred Services. He previously was manager of Wimbledon and Doninga Farms in Lexington. His appointment is effective October 1.

“While I have greatly enjoyed my stay in Kentucky, I jumped at the opportunity to return to Europe to manage the National Stud,” O’Rourke said. “I am very much looking forward to managing the stud’s services to the breeding industry and overseeing the role of offering training courses for stud staff and the provision of public access, activities which make the stud unique in this country. It is a challenging and exciting opportunity.”

O’Rourke is the brother of Liam O’Rourke, manager of Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, and Garrett O’Rourke, manager of Juddmonte Farms in Lexington.