Experienced racing administrator Greg Nichols has been elected the new chairman of Racing Australia, replacing Frances Nelson QC.
Nelson has elected to step down from the position to focus on her duties as chair of Thoroughbred Racing SA, with the South Australian industry confronting a number of current crises.
Nichols, a long-serving Racing Victoria director and also the Chairman of Racing.com, has previously worked as Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Board, General Manager of Racing at Racing Victoria and was also Managing Director of Sport at Betfair.
Greg Nichols
“I feel honoured to be elected as chair and I’m committed to making Racing Australia the ‘can do’, proactive organisation needed to ensure the continued growth and success of Australian Thoroughbred racing,’’ Nichols said.
“I feel honoured to be elected as chair and I’m committed to making Racing Australia the ‘can do’ and proactive organisation needed to ensure the continued growth and success of Australian Thoroughbred racing,’’- Greg Nichols
“As chairman, my focus will be on the sustainability of thoroughbred racing nationally, the critical importance of the welfare of participants and, given the global footprint of racing, using Australian racing’s scale and success to responsibly contribute and influence international racing."
Racing Australia faces a number of pressing issues, including an ongoing battle between Victoria and New South Wales over race-scheduling and prizemoney as well as calls for a national approach to integrity matters.
Russell Balding was re-elected as deputy chair, while Nichols paid tribute to Nelson's dedication and leadership during her time in office.
“As chairman, my focus will be on the sustainability of thoroughbred racing nationally, the critical importance of the welfare of participants and, given the global footprint of racing, using Australian racing’s scale and success to responsibly contribute and influence international racing." - Greg Nichols
“Frances presided over an overhaul of Racing Australia’s governance, strengthened links with international racing bodies and maintained a strong focus on the needs of industry participants, especially the welfare of thoroughbreds," he said.
South Australia is facing a litany of issues, with the most significant being the 15% Point of Consumption Tax imposed by the South Australian government which threatens funding of racing.
A shortfall in funding as a result of the POC Tax has prompted significant prizemoney cuts for two of South Australia's iconic races, with The Goodwood to be run for $750,000 and the Robert Sangster S, $600,000 in 2019. Both races were run for $1 million last year.
Frances Nelson
General prizemoney levels have plummeted behind those in other states, with recent rises in Victoria and New South Wales further highlighting the perilous state for trainers and owners.
Two of South Australia's leading horsemen, Lloyd Kennewell and Phillip Stokes, have recently moved their operations to Victoria.
Nelson, who remains on the Racing Australia board, said she was looking forward to putting her entire effort behind her role in charge in South Australia.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and it has been a great privilege to have been able to champion the interests of South Australian racing in this position," Nelson said.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and it has been a great privilege to have been able to champion the interests of South Australian racing in this position," Frances Nelson
“However, the enormous harm being caused by the State Government’s unfair tax has reached a critical point."
“It’s a situation that has already had a crushing effect on revenues which, in turn, has flowed on to reduced prizemoney levels – and prizemoney pays the wages of everyone in our industry,’’ she said.
