Darley, a company that breeds, owns and trains racehorses in seven countries, is to step up its global marketing activity after appointing direct specialist Clark McKay & Walpole to handle its direct marketing.

The company, which is owned by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, awarded the business to the agency after a pitch against Gyro and Ogilvy, managed by creativebrief.

The work, across the UK, Ireland, France, Australia, Japan, Dubai and the US, will target both B2B prospects, including breeders and trainers, and B2C prospects, such as high net-worth individuals and private owners.

The agency will handle direct, trade and targeted press and online activity. It will also work on customer data segmentation with the aim of enabling Darley to create future tailored marketing communications.