Jim Allen New Manager at Epsom Downs

The Jockey Club today announces that Jim Allen has been appointed General Manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse.

An alumni of the BHA Graduate Scheme in 1997, Allen brings a wealth of experience to the role. His early career involved the successful management of two UK racecourses, Huntingdon and Sedgefield, before serving as Racing Director at Arena Racing Company (ARC) between 2006 and 2015. In this role he oversaw the operational running of more than 500 fixtures a year and his accomplishments included the innovation of the All-Weather Championships, the introduction of the new Tapeta racing surface at Newcastle and Wolverhampton racecourses and launch of sectional timing at all ARC tracks.

Allen went on to train racehorses across the US and in France between 2016 and 2022, before joining Tapeta Footings as its Operations Director in 2023 to create new racing surfaces at Belmont Park (New York), Margaux Farm (Kentucky) and Santa Anita (California).

He returned to the UK this year to take up the role of Operations Director at British Champions Series and will begin his new position at Epsom Downs on October 21^st, after QIPCO British Champions Day has taken place.

Allen succeeds Tom Sammes, who leaves The Jockey Club at the end of this month to take up a new senior role in sport in the North West.

Epsom Downs stages 11 fixtures each year, including the world’s most famous horse race, the Betfred Derby.

Jim Allen, 51, said: “Having started my career at Huntingdon back in 1999, I’m absolutely delighted to be rejoining The Jockey Club. I also grew up in Croydon and regularly attended Epsom from the age of 13, so it’s a place that very much feels like ‘home’ to me.

“As far as I’m concerned the Betfred Derby remains the most important race to the Thoroughbred breed and the most famous in the world, so I’m proud and excited to start working with the team.

“I hope that my experience working across the industry in a range of different roles, from running racecourses to training racehorses, will give me a 360 degree perspective as we strive to ensure Epsom Downs reaches its full potential, both as a racecourse and training centre.”

Amy Starkey, Managing Director of The Jockey Club, added: “I’m thrilled to have appointed someone of Jim’s calibre to lead the team at Epsom Downs.

“It is rare to find an accomplished racecourse administrator who also has expertise in training and caring for racehorses and his CV speaks for itself. With such experience and a wide range of existing stakeholder relationships, Jim will be a tremendous asset for Epsom Downs Racecourse and our training grounds.

“I would also like to thank Tom Sammes for all his hard work in the role and for creating a transformative plan for Epsom Downs and the Betfred Derby Festival, which we hope the racecourse will benefit from greatly in the years ahead.”

Brian Finch, Chairman of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: “Jim has operated right across the racing industry and brings experience and learnings not only from roles in the UK but also the US and France.

“We are especially passionate about elevating the Betfred Derby Festival and strengthening our links with the local community and I look forward to supporting Jim and the team to bring numerous plans to life in the months and years ahead.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Tom Sammes and would like to thank him for all his hard work and commitment during his time here. All of us at Epsom Downs would like to wish him the very best for the future.”

Everyone at What’s On In My Town are looking forward to working with Jim and we wish him all the best in his new role.