by Tony Smurthwaite

Joe Hernon, manager of the Coolmore-owned Castlehyde Stud in County Cork, Ireland, was recently elected chairman of the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations.

Hernon, who succeeds Franco Castelfranchi of Italy, said that he would lobby the European Commission to promote European-born Thoroughbreds.

“Breeders have a unique trump card in that breeding is the only part of the racing industry which has a European organization,” Hernon said. “I want to keep the EFTBA at the center of the important European discussions which are happening in relation to the future of horse race betting.”

Hernon also noted the importance of veterinary issues and animal welfare in transport throughout Europe and beyond.

Tony Smurthwaite, an England-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent, is a writer for Racing Post