HRI announces two new senior appointments
Connie Costello appointed Group Chief Financial Officer of HRI with Peter Roe taking up new role as Head of Racing – HRI Racecourses
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has announced the appointment of Connie Costello as Group Chief Financial Officer with Peter Roe taking up the new role as Head of Racing – HRI Racecourses.
Connie has a strong financial background and extensive experience in the private and public sector, joining HRI from the Central Bank of Ireland, having previously held senior positions in First Active PLC, Ulster Bank, An Post and the Department of Public Expenditure (National Shared Services).
A racing fan, Connie has a proven record in strategic financial leadership, developing effective financial strategies, implementing operational efficiency across regulated environments, and leading transformation programmes.
Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “With a wealth of commercial experience and expertise, Connie is a significant addition to the team at HRI. Her career to date has included high level roles in both the private and public sector, and this, combined with an appreciation and understanding of racing and thoroughbred breeding, gives her the platform to make a telling contribution to our industry.”
Reporting to Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, Peter Roe will be stepping down from his role at Fairyhouse Racecourse to take up the new role of Head of Racing – HRI Racecourses.
Amongst his key duties, Peter will be responsible for leading, managing and coordinating all racing and track operations across the four HRI racecourses, Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, Navan and Tipperary, in conjunction with each of the respective track foremen.
Peter recently marked 25 years with HRI, having initially assumed the role of racecourse manager at Tipperary in December 1999. Peter has been General Manager of Fairyhouse Racecourse since 2010.
Announcing Peter’s new role within the organisation, Paul Dermody said: “We are proud that Peter has built a strong reputation with all our key industry stakeholders in his roles at Tipperary and Fairyhouse. Fairyhouse has seen strong growth under Peter’s guidance and the BoyleSports Easter Festival has evolved over his tenure to maintain its iconic status in the Irish sporting calendar.
“Peter will ensure consistency, quality, and innovation across each of the four racecourses, while maintaining a strong focus on individual track development, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. Peter will be responsible, with the track management, to ensure optimum ground conditions for each fixture, race planning, and attracting overseas runners and industry stakeholder engagement on behalf of HRI Racecourses.”
Connie has a strong financial background and extensive experience in the private and public sector, joining HRI from the Central Bank of Ireland, having previously held senior positions in First Active PLC, Ulster Bank, An Post and the Department of Public Expenditure (National Shared Services).
A racing fan, Connie has a proven record in strategic financial leadership, developing effective financial strategies, implementing operational efficiency across regulated environments, and leading transformation programmes.
Suzanne Eade, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “With a wealth of commercial experience and expertise, Connie is a significant addition to the team at HRI. Her career to date has included high level roles in both the private and public sector, and this, combined with an appreciation and understanding of racing and thoroughbred breeding, gives her the platform to make a telling contribution to our industry.”
Reporting to Paul Dermody, CEO of HRI Racecourses, Peter Roe will be stepping down from his role at Fairyhouse Racecourse to take up the new role of Head of Racing – HRI Racecourses.
Amongst his key duties, Peter will be responsible for leading, managing and coordinating all racing and track operations across the four HRI racecourses, Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, Navan and Tipperary, in conjunction with each of the respective track foremen.
Peter recently marked 25 years with HRI, having initially assumed the role of racecourse manager at Tipperary in December 1999. Peter has been General Manager of Fairyhouse Racecourse since 2010.
Announcing Peter’s new role within the organisation, Paul Dermody said: “We are proud that Peter has built a strong reputation with all our key industry stakeholders in his roles at Tipperary and Fairyhouse. Fairyhouse has seen strong growth under Peter’s guidance and the BoyleSports Easter Festival has evolved over his tenure to maintain its iconic status in the Irish sporting calendar.
“Peter will ensure consistency, quality, and innovation across each of the four racecourses, while maintaining a strong focus on individual track development, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. Peter will be responsible, with the track management, to ensure optimum ground conditions for each fixture, race planning, and attracting overseas runners and industry stakeholder engagement on behalf of HRI Racecourses.”
Peter will ensure consistency, quality, and innovation across each of the four racecourses, while maintaining a strong focus on individual track development, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.
.jpg?lang=en-IE&ext=.jpg)
.jpg?lang=en-IE&ext=.jpg)