Mark Clayton appointed CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has announced the appointment of Mark Clayton as CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse.
Reporting to Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, Mark will take up his role in early January following an extensive recruitment campaign.
Mark has over two decades of experience in racecourse management, including 12 years at Southwell Racecourse, and prior leadership roles at Doncaster and Huntingdon Racecourses. He has delivered over 1,000 race meetings, including high-profile fixtures with crowds exceeding 30,000, such as the St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the role of CEO at Leopardstown Racecourse. Mark brings a wealth of commercial experience and expertise to the role, combined with a thorough knowledge of the racing industry. Mark has led major racecourse capital projects and will play a key role in leading the future development of the Leopardstown Racecourse campus.”
Mark Clayton commented: “I am very excited to be joining the Leopardstown team. I have worked within the racing and breeding industry for most of my career, and I hope that my extensive racecourse management experience and leadership skills can help drive forward what is already a proven world-class racing facility.”
Reporting to Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, Mark will take up his role in early January following an extensive recruitment campaign.
Mark has over two decades of experience in racecourse management, including 12 years at Southwell Racecourse, and prior leadership roles at Doncaster and Huntingdon Racecourses. He has delivered over 1,000 race meetings, including high-profile fixtures with crowds exceeding 30,000, such as the St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the role of CEO at Leopardstown Racecourse. Mark brings a wealth of commercial experience and expertise to the role, combined with a thorough knowledge of the racing industry. Mark has led major racecourse capital projects and will play a key role in leading the future development of the Leopardstown Racecourse campus.”
Mark Clayton commented: “I am very excited to be joining the Leopardstown team. I have worked within the racing and breeding industry for most of my career, and I hope that my extensive racecourse management experience and leadership skills can help drive forward what is already a proven world-class racing facility.”
Mark brings a wealth of commercial experience and expertise to the role, combined with a thorough knowledge of the racing industry. Mark has led major racecourse capital projects and will play a key role in leading the future development of the Leopardstown Racecourse campus.
