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Irish racing’s top professional steward is set to retire this summer.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's senior stipendiary steward and head of stewarding, Peter Matthews, will step down from the role in July.
“I have been with the Turf Club and the IHRB for 40 years and the time is just right,” Matthews said on Monday.
“When I first joined, my first job was opening and sorting the post in the office.
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“Since then, I have worked in all areas as an official, helping the handicappers, to working in point to points, veterinary assistant, clerk of the scales, judge and starter,” he added.
Matthews, a son of the classic winning jockey Peader Matthews, took over as senior stewards secretary in 1999.
“I’ve seen apprentices become some of the best sportsmen in the world in that time and made great friends from all walks of life,” Matthews said.
A recruitment process to find a replacement will take place in the coming months.
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