The UK's largest racecourse group, Arena Racing Company (ARC) has announced that Martin Cruddace, the former senior executive of Betfair, is its new Chief Executive.
Cruddace will join ARC on 17 August and is taking over from existing Managing Director Tony Kelly.
Cruddace was Chief Executive of the Association of British Bookmakers, and as Betfair’s Group Corporate Affairs and Legal Director he dealt with all UK and European regulatory matters and negotiated a £40m five year commercial deal with British Racing.
He is a member of the Racehorse Owners Association with a share in several racehorses, including a share in the Martin Pipe trained Big Occasion who won the Midlands National at Uttoxeter Racecourse in 2013.
ARC Chairman David Thorpe said, “I am delighted to welcome Martin to ARC. With his wealth of experience of racing and betting I believe he has the key attributes to successfully lead ARC during this exciting period of development for the company.
“Martin is set to inherit a strong and talented management team and some of the best and most talented racecourse teams in the sport. We all look forward to working with Martin and ensuring ARC continues to play a vital role in the future success of British Racing.
“The Board and shareholders of ARC would like to reiterate our thanks to Tony for the enormous contribution he has made and wish him all the very best for the future.”
Martin Cruddace said, “I am a huge fan of British Racing and excited to be able to be involved with the sport in a professional capacity. As the largest racecourse operator ARC has a crucial role to play and I will look to being able to use my experience to lead ARC at an important time for the company and British Racing.”
Arena Racing Company became the largest racecourse group in the UK through a merger between Northern Racing and Arena Leisure Plc.
ARC operates 15 racecourses, across a mix of flat, jump and all-weather tracks, hosting 39% of the UK's annual horseracing fixtures. These include some of the biggest days in the racing calendar, like the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival, Coral Welsh National, Betfred Midlands Grand National, John Smith's Northumberland Plate and the National Spirit Hurdle.
The group also operate hotels at Wolverhampton and the 4* Marriot Hotel & Country Club at Lingfield Park Resort, which includes a spa and golf course. Plus there are another two golf courses at Southwell and Newcastle.