Who owns or governs Weatherbys, and what does it do?
Weatherbys is a family business, now in its seventh generation, and Companies House lists Weatherbys Thoroughbred Holdings Ltd as holding 75% or more of the shares in Weatherbys Ltd. It administers British racing under contract from the British Horseracing Authority, processing registrations and handling prize money and fees. It registers all Thoroughbreds in Britain and Ireland in the General Stud Book, which it has kept since 1791, and publishes the Racing Calendar. It also provides racecard production, printing, data, pedigree research and DNA testing services.
Ownership and governance
Weatherbys describes itself as a family business, now in its seventh generation. Its founding company, Weatherbys Ltd, is a private limited company incorporated on 5 December 1953 with its registered office on Sanders Road, Wellingborough. Companies House lists Weatherbys Thoroughbred Holdings Ltd as holding 75% or more of its shares. In 2005 the Weatherbys group became two separate entities, Weatherbys Limited and Weatherbys Banking Group; the group’s banking division includes Weatherbys Private Bank, Weatherbys Racing Bank and the asset finance company Arkle Finance Ltd.
Weatherbys Ltd provides racing services to the British Horseracing Authority under contract. It processes registrations for owners, trainers and jockeys, registers names, colours and sponsorships, and has handled the Stakesbook, recording and processing prize money and fees, since 1770. Weatherbys GSB Ltd and Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd handle General Stud Book registrations, administration and publishing in Great Britain and Ireland. Weatherbys Ireland Ltd provides laboratory services, including DNA and genomic testing, from Ireland, and The Point-to-Point Racing Company is owned jointly with the Point-to-Point Authority. The company also sells racecard production, printing, publishing and data services. Its board is chaired by John O’Reilly, appointed in 2026, and its chief executive is Sharon O’Regan.
What Weatherbys runs
Stud books
- General Stud Book (Great Britain and Ireland)
Publications
- Racing Calendar
Group companies
- Weatherbys GSB Ltd
- Weatherbys Ireland Ltd
- Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd
- The Point-to-Point Racing Company Ltd (owned jointly with the Point-to-Point Authority)
Banking division
- Weatherbys Private Bank
- Weatherbys Racing Bank
- Arkle Finance Ltd
As listed by the organisation. See sources.
Key people
- John O'ReillyChairman
- Sharon O'ReganCEO, Weatherbys
- Nick CravenExecutive Director
- Roger WeatherbyNon-Executive Director
- Ian PenroseNon-Executive Director
As listed on Our People / Weatherbys.
Status and listing
- Status
- Not listed
Where it operates
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
As the organisation reports it. See sources.
Key dates
- 1770
- James Weatherby was appointed Secretary to the Jockey Club and Keeper of the Match Book at Newmarket, effectively founding Weatherbys.
- 1773
- James Weatherby published the first Racing Calendar.
- 1791
- The first General Stud Book was published.
- 1901
- The Jockey Club formalised Weatherbys as racing's administrator.
- 1973
- An Irish office opened in Dublin to run the Irish General Stud Book.
- 2005
- The Weatherbys group became two separate entities, Weatherbys Limited and Weatherbys Banking Group.
- 2021
- Weatherbys introduced the ePassport and Weatherbys Digital Solutions.
- 2026
- John O'Reilly, a non-executive director, was appointed Chairman.
Questions readers ask
Who owns Weatherbys?
Weatherbys describes itself as a family business in its seventh generation. Companies House lists Weatherbys Thoroughbred Holdings Ltd as holding 75% or more of the shares in Weatherbys Ltd.
What does Weatherbys do?
It administers British racing under contract from the British Horseracing Authority, registers Thoroughbreds in Britain and Ireland in the General Stud Book and publishes the Racing Calendar. It also provides racecard production, printing, publishing, data, pedigree research and DNA testing services.
Where is Weatherbys based?
Its head office is on Sanders Road, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. Weatherbys Ireland is based at the M7 Business Park in Naas, County Kildare.
Sources
Figures are taken from the documents listed below and carry the date they refer to.