Dr. Michael Osborne, has assumed the position of chairman of World Racing Championships Ltd. Osborne, who was unanimously elected to the position by the WRC board, succeeds James E. "Ted" Bassett III, Keenelandeffective Dec. 31, 2004. The organization's vice chairman, The Duke of Devonshire, also retired on that date and a new vice chairman and executive committee will be elected at the March meeting. A veterinary surgeon by profession, Osborne, 70, has been associated with leading Thoroughbred breeding and racing establishments throughout the world, including the Turf Club, British Jockey Club, and Horse Racing Ireland (HRI).Having previously managed the Irish National Stud and North Ridge Farm in Kentucky, Osborne was appointed by Sheikh Mohammed as manager of his stud farms in Ireland, a director of Darley Stud management and chief executive of Kildangan Stud. He also continues as an adviser to the Emirates Racing Association, having been its chief executive from 1996-1999 and was chairman of the Dubai World Cup Organizing Committee from 1995–1999, a period in which the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) evolved as the world's richest Thoroughbred raceHe was elected as a member of the Irish Turf Club in 1980 and served as senior steward from 1994 to 1997 during which time he was also a member of the Irish Horseracing Authority. He is currently chairman of the Curragh Racecourse and Training Grounds as it prepares for a major re-development program. He was appointed chairman of Goffs Bloodstock Sales Company, Ireland, and served as chairman of Goffs, France, from 2001-2004. He also served on the board of Horse Racing Ireland from 2001-2003."I was surprised and, on reflection, very honored to be unanimously elected to the chairmanship of the World Racing Championships...," Osborne said. "With the support of the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland, I will make every effort to further develop horse racing at international level." The constituent organizations of the World Racing Championships Limited are: Breeders' Cup Ltd., Arlington Park Racecourse, Moonee Valley Racing Club, Ascot Racecourse, Singapore Turf Club, Japan Racing Association, Woodbine Entertainment Group, France Galop, Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Baden Baden Internationaler Club and Horse Racing Ireland. "Michael Osborne is Ireland's most prominent figure in Thoroughbred racing," Bassett said. "He has served on numerous boards with great distinction in Ireland and internationally. His long-standing commitment to the World Series Racing Championship is widely recognized and I am certain that he will bring his unique talents to bear in developing the Series into the future."
The World Racing Series 2005 begins with the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup in Hong Kong on April 25 and runs throughout the year, taking in some of the top flat races in the world:--Audemars Piguet QE II Cup, April 25, Hong Kong
--Singapore Airlines International Cup, May 15, Singapore
--King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, July 23, Great Britain
--Arlington Million, Aug. 13, U. S. (date to be confirmed)
--Grosser Volkswagen Preis von Baden, Sept. 4, Germany
--Baileys Irish Champion Stakes, Sept. 10, Ireland
--Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere, Oct. 2, France
--Carlton Draught Cox Plate, Oct. 22, Australia
--Pattison Canadian International, Oct. 23, Canada
--Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge, Oct. 29, U.S.
--John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf, Oct. 29, U.S.
--Japan Cup, Nov. 27, Japan
--Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup, Dec. 11, Hong Kong
