All about Michael O'Hagan & MOH Consultancy

I grew up in a large family in Dundalk, Ireland.  My father, Pat O’Hagan, was a highly-regarded veterinary surgeon.  I was lucky enough to spend precious time with my father travelling from farm to farm and racecourse to racecourse.  My first love was horses and they have remained a consistent connection throughout my life.  They have taken me around the globe and back again and have afforded me lasting friendships, work colleagues and connections in every corner of the world.

After I graduated from the Irish National Stud Course, thoroughbreds took me around the world, working in France, then Ireland, back to France, America and finally back to Ireland to take up a position with the world renowned, Coolmore Stud.  Coolmore is known as one of the elite global thoroughbred breeding powerhouses.  My time there has stood me in good stead, teaching me how to take the ordinary to extraordinary.  Coolmore gave me experience in dealing with elite clients, numerous visitors and world class colleagues.  It also exposed me to the acquisition and renovation of stud lands and property. 

My passion for the Irish thoroughbred industry led me to the position of CEO of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) representing breeders across the country at local, national, international and Government level.  This involved interacting with many Irish Government departments and also with a number of European Government agencies.

My next position was as CEO of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM).  A semi-state entity co-funded by and accountable to the Irish Government via the governing body for the Irish thoroughbred sector, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Irish Thoroughbred industry's stakeholders.  This role encompassed many different responsibilities, mainly keeping the industry informed and united while maintaining the confidence of the Irish Government.  With an annual budget of €2m I lead a highly-motivated team to achieve ambitious KPIs.  Our mission was to promote Ireland as a country to own, raise and race quality Irish Thoroughbreds whilst exploring new markets for Irish horses and inward investment in the country.  Building relationships was key and something that came naturally to me, leading me to engage and work at close quarters with the most senior Irish politicians and civil servants, whilst enlisting the help and co-operation of a wide variety of overseas agencies such as the international diplomatic corps, trade boards and associations.  This work was recognised by me being appointed director of HRI as Communications and International Affairs Director whilst maintaining my role as CEO of ITM.

My next role was my appointment as International Advisor and Representative to Dubai based Al Basti Equiworld.  As the leading importer of equine feed, bedding and supplements into the Middle East, Al Basti Equiworld sought to increase their brand profile internationally.  This was achieved via a synergistic combination of sponsorship, imaginative branding and innovative product placement.  This work included initiatives in U.S.A, New Zealand, Ireland, Great Britain, France and the UAE.  My work helped lift the global profile of the Al Basti Equiworld brand. 

MOH Consultancy is the next chapter in my career journey.  I am confident that it will be a career capstone which will bring me the fulfilment of shared success.