Club appoints IRB bigwig

THE Jockey Club have appointed one of the leading lights in Britain's far-reaching International Racing Bureau to a key role in Hong Kong racing, writes Jim McGrath from London.

Simon Cooper, 34, who has been with the Newmarket-based IRB for 12 years, is to become corporate affairs secretary of the RHKJC. He is due to start his new job on May 23.

The timing of Cooper's appointment is significant, particularly in relation to his duties concerning the international races to be run at Sha Tin on December 11.

The addition of a third international race, the Vase, over 2,400 metres, is an adventurous step forward for the RHKJC and it is believed Cooper's first-hand experience in dealing with world events such as the Ever Ready Derby, the Festival of British Racing at Ascot and the Breeders' Cup and Japan Cup, could prove a vital asset.

''We feel that the appointment of Simon Cooper is a good appointment,'' explained General Guy Watkins, chief executive of the Jockey Club.

''What we were looking for with this appointment was something very different and it was not one that could be readily filled within Hong Kong. We were looking for a very competent administrator, who already had experience working in racing,'' General Watkins said yesterday.

''Of course, in Hong Kong, the only experience one can gain in racing administration is with the Jockey Club itself,'' he added.

Cooper's role in the IRB has been varied over the years. He has had successful dealings with owners and trainers and the media in relation to the Bureau's international races.

The IRB is a vast organisation which deals with the representation of racing bodies, promotion of events, and consultancy work within racing. A British company, it has specialised mainly in foreign races.

Cooper's new role in Hong Kong has been described here in racing circles as that of right-hand man to General Watkins, although the chief executive has questioned the accuracy of that description.

''I have several right-hand men,'' General Watkins pointed out.

''Philip Johnston is my right-hand man on the racing side, David Yau, with his new appointment in the secretariat, is another right-hand man.

''Simon Cooper will be my right-hand man on corporate affairs, though not on legal matters, which will be handled by other specialists,'' he pointed out.

Cooper, whose RHKJC contract is for three years, said last night: ''I am expecting it to be totally different to anything I have experienced before in racing - and I am greatly looking forward to it.''