A NINE-MONTH global search ended yesterday with the announcement that the American Clinton P. Pitts, Jnr, has been appointed as the Hong Kong Jockey Club's new chief stipendiary steward.
Pitts, 55, succeeds Bernard Hargreaves to the crucial position at the head of raceday control.
Lawrence Wong, the Jockey Club's chief executive, said yesterday: 'It is a very important position and vital to maintain the public's confidence.
'By appointing a very experienced American stipe we acquire a different perspective and a different angle to the organisation.
'He is the best person we found in a global search which took nine months and led to us seeing some 20 candidates.' Wong then added: 'The other thing which is very important is that we demand from all expatriate appointments that they can bring some other quality with them.
'Clinton has an excellent record as a teacher and lecturer of his fellow stipendiary stewards and he can bring those skills with him and help to develop the locals.' Pitts started as an amateur steeplechase jockey in his native Maryland, graduating to the official ranks in 1969.