Ajay Anne has taken on a new role as the managing director of German-based Eurofip International, better known in the racing world as the owner of Martin Collins Enterprises, which produces the Polytrack all-weather surface. Anne will also continue to run his own New Approach Bloodstock business.
Owned by the Mulliez family's Altya Investments, Eurofip International is based out of Equss Castle, near Cologne. Anne, a graduate of the 2006 Godolphin Flying Start course, will remain in Dubai, where he has been based since the completion of a four-year stint working for Darley.
“I have known the Mulliez family for a few years now and it was pleasant surprise when they approached me to become the managing director of the company and head the overall group,” Anne said. “Martin Collins [Polytrack] is now used at 30 different racecourses around the world and it is equally or more popular in the equestrian world. All the five-star events in UK are held on our surface, and world equestrian championships and global equestrian group use our surface to conduct some of the best equestrian events in the world.”
With its own technical staff to install the tracks, Eurofip International operates a fibre (polymer) manufacturing plant in France, along with research labs to analyse the soil and advise each client, according to the requirements and weather conditions, on the type of wax to be used.
“We are well established in UK, Ireland, France and Australia,” Anne continued. “We are going to concentrate on developing our presence in the Middle East, Asia, South Africa and also the USA. This is by default becoming a global racing and equestrian surface. The quality of the product is tested and proven, likewise the safety aspect is backed up by the stats produced over the years.
“The Bahrain training track was set up last year and now we are working on a training track in Qatar, as well as a working with a few racecourses in the Middle East in regard to having one of our surfaces for racing. We also have an office in China and see some growth happening in that region, too.”
He added, “I am looking forward to this new challenge in my life and I am here to serve the animal we all love.”
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