THE IRISH FIELD, Saturday, December 10, 2016 A18 FEATURE Galloping ahead with Weatherbys Everyone knows Weatherbys maintain the British and Irish stud books but did you know they also offer a banking service? Olivia Hamilton has further information EATHERBYS – a household name in the racing and bloodstock industry. Simply mention Weatherbys and connotationsW of historic legacies dat- ing back many years (246 to be exact), leather bound chronicles of thorough- bred pedigrees and a vast database of all things horsey come to mind. James Weatherby was appointed as Secretary to the Jockey Club in 1770 and since then the Weatherby name has been and continues to be synonymous with horse racing and breeding. Tasked with managing its races, oper- ating its rules and running the club’s business, James proved to be an able ad- ministrator and entrepreneur, quickly L-r, Roger Weatherby (Chief Executive, Weatherbys Bank), Graham Ayres (Managing Director, Weatherbys Ltd), Ronan Murphy (CEO Weatherbys Ireland, Weatherbys appreciating the market demand for Ireland GSB), Shane O’Dwyer (ITBA), Shane Doyle (HRI) Johnny Weatherby (Weatherbys Chairman, Ascot Racecourse Chairman) authentic information on racing and breeding. 200 years were in place; an administra- and The General Stud Book. funds for future race entries, Weath- By James’s death in 1794, Weath- tion for the Turf Authority of the day; Today, Weatherbys remains at the erbys had been effectively running the erbys’ four core businesses for the next the Racing Calendar; a financial agency heart of the industry, administering racing accounts of industry owners and British racing under contract from professionals for centuries. Weatherbys the governing British Horseracing was granted a banking licence in June Authority, registering all thoroughbred 1994. horses in Britain and Ireland within The success of the Racing Bank The General Stud Book and providing a and Weatherbys’ longstanding reputa- host of services to racecourses, owners, tion for excellence in client care, laid trainers, breeders and enthusiasts. the foundations for their Premier and The continuity of the Weatherby fam- Private Banking service. Where other ily’s involvement, unbroken over more banks were reducing service levels and than two centuries from the original the number of customer-facing employ- BREEDER founder to the present chairman, is one ees, Weatherbys Bank was doing quite of the firm’s most singular features. the opposite. Clients can be confident that when OF THE MONTH EVOLUTION OF WEATHERBYS BANK they ring up to enquire about their ac- Although many readers of The Irish count, they will be put straight through Field may be familiar with Weatherbys to the bank, either directly to their dedi- for their foal, mare or stallion registra- cated private banker or to a member of NOVEMBER 2016 vote online for your favourite tions, passport requirements or other the Racing or Premier teams. equine-related needs, they may not be The bank continues to adapt to en- today. Voting closes at midnight on Tuesday, December 20th aware that Weatherbys also have a fully- sure it meets customer needs and have fledged banking service in the form of recently launched a new online banking DEIRDRE COGAN a racing and private bank which is one platform and mobile banking app. VOTE ONLINE: of only two family-owned private banks There are further exciting plans for in Britain. 2017, notably in the areas of investment www.TheIrishField.ie/vote In fact, they have a significant num- and wealth planning. They also have BREEDER 1 ber of Irish clients, including many a dedicated foreign exchange team on Obviously (Ire) of the country’s stud farms, with the hand; Weatherbys FX provide competi- common denominator for choosing tive quotes and hedging solutions to to bank with Weatherbys being their assist clients in managing currency exceptional professional and attentive exposures, particularly relevant given FRANK TAGG, FRANK MEDURI & JOHN personal service. the international nature of the racing MOFFITT, HVEGER SYNDICATE VOTE ONLINE: Weatherbys Bank is also in the and bloodstock industries. www.TheIrishField.ie/vote unique position of understanding the Weatherbys offers all the services BREEDER 2 issues their racing clients face and find- you would associate with a modern Highland Reel (Ire) ing solutions for these. Their in-depth financial institution, yet they continue understanding of the bloodstock and to maintain the care and attention to racing industry and its various idio- detail you might expect of a family syncrasies enables Weatherbys Bank to business. Reputation means everything better service customer requirements. and Weatherbys are hugely proud that SEAN HARNEDY Whether it is for foreign exchange needs their largest source of new business VOTE ONLINE: at various times of the year due to is introductions from existing clients. www.TheIrishField.ie/vote the seasonal and international nature This is again testament to the strength BREEDER 3 of the industry, or helping with the of relationships they build with their reclaiming of VAT related to horses in customers. Empire Of Dirt (Ire) training in Britain, Weatherbys Bank From bloodstock to banking, the can assist. Where other banks may Weatherbys journey spans more than have a ‘computer says no’ approach, two centuries and seven generations. FRED MACKEY Weatherbys prides itself in providing a Though their horizons have broadened, VOTE ONLINE: bespoke service for its clients. their family values of integrity, reli- ability and accuracy remain unchanged. www.TheIrishField.ie/vote CLIENT serviCE BREEDER 4 The formation of Weatherbys Bank was To find out more about the Premier and Native River (Ire) a logical extension of Weatherbys’ role Private Banking services, please call in the industry. Collecting race stakes, +44 (0)1933 440077 or email bank@ Voting closes at midnight on Tuesday, December 20th. Winner will be announced on December 24th in The Irish Field. www.theirishfield.ie distributing prize money and holding weatherbys.co.uk..