Tim Lane, who managed John Deer's Oakgrove Stud since 2004, has been appointed stud manager of the National Stud in Newmarket. Lane succeeds Brian O'Rourke, who has been manager of the National Stud since 2008, shortly after its acquisition by The Jockey Club. Lane has also served as an assistant to Malcolm Bastard at Baydon Hill Grange and worked for trainer James Fanshawe.
Philip Mitchell, a current non-executive board director of the National Stud, will act as general manager to support Lane. Mitchell was general manager of Juddmonte Farms for 27 years, until late 2015.
Ben Sangster, chairman of The National Stud, said, “I am confident Tim will prove a great fit for The National Stud and I am delighted to appoint such a highly respected successor to Brian O'Rourke, who has done a tremendous job for us here in Newmarket. Whilst it will be sad to say goodbye to Brian after all he has accomplished, we will benefit tremendously from the continuity of another true horseman running our operations in similar vein.”
Lane added, “I am excited to be joining The National Stud team and the wider Jockey Club family. I will look to build on the excellent work of Brian O'Rourke and the team, ensuring the stud offers first-class services to clients and operates with a sound long-term commercial approach. I should like to express my gratitude to John Deer and all of the Deer family for the fantastic support and opportunities they have given me over the last 13 years.”
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