ROA AGM takes place

• ROA President Charlie Parker reflects on a challenging time for racing, but praises the spirit of collaboration in the industry
• Nominations to the Board of President Charlie Parker and Vice President Alan Spence approved
• Jim Walker and Stephen Applebee elected to the Board and Gay Kelleway re-elected

 

15^th November 2023 - The ROA today concluded its 79^th Annual General Meeting, with all five resolutions approved by its members. The resolutions included the nominations to the Board of President Charlie Parker and Vice President Alan Spence, the elections to the Board of Jim Walker and Stephen Applebee, and the re-election to the Board of Gay Kelleway.

The AGM took place at Kempton Park Racecourse, with ROA members also able to join online via a live feed. Racehorse Owners Association Chief Executive, Charlie Liverton, opened the meeting by sending the best wishes and thoughts of the ROA and all present to injured jockey Graham Lee and his family.

The two new incoming Board members are engaged in highly successful business careers and share a passion for horse racing. Between them, they have owned or part owned around 90 horses, over a cumulative 58 years. Commenting on their respective appointments:

Jim Walker said: “I have been passionate about horse racing for the past 60 years and an owner, in both the UK and Hong Kong, since 1999. The contrast between Hong Kong, where prize money is exceptional and owners are treated as the key element in racing provision, and the UK where prize money on average covers less than 15% of training costs, is stark. Owners deserve a loud voice for change and recognition in our sport.”

Stephen Applebee added: “I have been a racehorse owner for 34 years, starting in clubs and syndicates, and since 1999 in partnerships and in my own right.  In that time I believe that the 50-60 horses I have owned have provided me with the full spectrum of the ownership experience, from having a runner in the Irish 1,000 guineas at the Curragh, to the first win in my own colours at Taunton on a wet winter Tuesday afternoon. Owners are subsidising the industry and we need to work out why and fix it.”

Gay Kelleway was re-elected for a second term on the Board, having been first elected in 2020.

In his address to the meeting, Charlie Parker, President of the ROA, said: “Under its new structure, the industry has managed to reach unanimous agreement on the detail of the 2024 fixture list, which included some significant changes and shows what can be achieved through collaboration.” He added: “That is all good news, but my challenge is that the sport needs to promote these changes effectively in order to attract the new audiences of investors, owners, racegoers, bettors and others that we so desperately need.” In conclusion, Parker said: “The challenges for racing and specifically for owners will continue over the next 12 months and beyond, but we should be encouraged that Racing is now working more closely together and the ROA is at the heart of that endeavour.” 

 

AGM Resolution Results

1. To ratify by way of Ordinary Resolution, the Board’s nomination of Charlie Parker as the President and Alan Spence as the Vice President, for the coming year.

Resolution carried: For 85.58% Against 14.42%

2. To declare that Stephen Applebee, Gay Kelleway and Jim Walker have been duly elected as Elected Directors, taking office from the end of the AGM further to the results of the election to fill the vacancies on the Board.

Resolution carried: For 94.23% Against 5.7%

3. To confirm and adopt, by way of Ordinary Resolution, the Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31^st March 2023.

Resolution carried: For 96.15% Against 3.85%

4. To appoint, by way of Ordinary Resolution, RSM UK Audit LLP auditors in accordance with Section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.

Resolution carried: For 96.15% Against 3.85%

5. To authorise, by way of Ordinary Resolution, the ROA Board to fix the remuneration of the Auditors.

Resolution carried: For 97.12% Against 2.88%