Harry McCalmont, owner of Norelands Stud in Ireland, will take over from the
long-serving Michael Wates as chairman of the coordinating committee of the
European Breeders’ Fund (EBF) on January 1, it was announced Wednesday. Wates
steps down after 18 years as chairman and 24 years in all on the coordinating
committee of the EBF, which injects substantial amounts of prize money into
European racing.
McCalmont becomes only the third chairman since the EBF was founded in 1983
as the European counterpart to the Breeders’ Cup scheme which was established
for the purpose of revitalizing the U.S. racing industry through revenue drawn
from stallion fees. The EBF was intended to be not only a measure of self-help
for European racing, but also a means of securing access for European horses to
some of the benefits of the Breeders’ Cup scheme through cross registration.
It will be a poignant moment for McCalmont when he becomes chairman in the
New Year because his late father, Victor, was the initial chairman.
“It is a very nice thing to be able to take up the chairmanship,” McCalmont
said. “My father, I believe, was a very well respected chairman and I’m
delighted to be able to follow in his footsteps and also to be able to take over
from Michael Wates who has held the position for 18 years. Michael has been a
very good chairman for the EBF. His contribution has been extraordinary and he
has not missed a single meeting in the past 18 years. We have been through some
ups and downs and have had some disagreements around the table, and Michael has
always conducted the meetings with skill and extra fairness.”
The original participating countries in the EBF were France, Britain and
Ireland. They were joined in 1986 by Germany and Italy, with Switzerland coming
on board three years later.
“Michael has been perceived by all the countries in the EBF as being an
extremely fair and impartial chairman and I only hope that I can do the same,”
McCalmont added. “I am particularly looking forward to meeting and talking with
the Breeders’ Cup team — our counterparts in the U.S.A., which is an extremely
important facet of the EBF. They are expanding the Breeders’ Cup with a further
three new races next year so I think it is very important that the EBF is seen
to be a partner in the Breeders’ Cup races and to be involved in the whole
operation.”
The new chairman is keen to see the EBF expand.
“We have had visiting delegates from various Eastern European countries at
our meetings and it is very much on our agenda to try and spread the EBF message
into new countries that are becoming a force in both racing and breeding,” he
said. “Turkey would be a priority for us as they have such strong racing and a
good breeding program — the prize money is very good there and it is important
to talk to them.”
Wates reflected on his time with the EBF.
“It has been a big chunk of my life and I have enjoyed the role,” he said.
“It has been rewarding in so much as the EBF has progressed immensely in the
last 24 years. A lot of money comes in from the United States now, the stallion
owners in Europe have totally accepted the scheme and it is working very well.
But 18 years is long enough and I am delighted that Harry McCalmont is taking
over as chairman. I have got to the age where I should be giving jobs up and not
taking them on.
“My time at the EBF has been very enjoyable and I have had great support from
all members of the committee throughout and all the countries have understood at
times that we need to give and take in order to get things done,” Wates added.
“It has been a joy to work with them.”