Racing NSW chairman John Messara has resigned his position as the state’s leading racing administrator.
John Messara has resigned as Chairman of Racing NSW.
Messara is the longest serving chairman of Racing NSW and was appointed to another three-year term in December last year but said he has achieved everything he wanted during his five year tenure.
“I’ve achieved all I wanted to do. It’s my move and I’m happy to go out on an extreme high,” Messara.
“It’s been a privilege to serve the racing industry in such an outstanding team including the Board and the executive of Racing NSW. All of our original objectives have been achieved during the five years.
“I wish to give special thanks to the chief executive Peter V’landys who has been a tower of strength during what has often been a challenging scenario.
“Racing NSW now operates at 38 percent of the cost of Victoria despite running approximatedly 20 percent more race meetings and the successful negotiation with NSW Government for wagering tax parity with Victoria will result in a graduated increase in industry revenue of $66 million per annum by 2021.”
Messara said the recent implementation of significant prizemoney increases in Sydney had been particularly satisfying among the achievements of the board over the last five years.
“To see metropolitan prizemoney in Sydney on a Saturday increase by 43 percent a race along with the increases across the board in New South Wales we see as a huge advance for participants,” Messara said.
“That, on top of the revitalisation of the Sydney autumn carnival with the introduction of The Championships, has given New South Wales racing a major boost at a vital time.
“It has also been very pleasing to have achieved improvements in animal welfare and the Racing NSW and Corrective Services NSW Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Program has been responsible for rehoming almost 300 horses to date.”
Deputy Premier of NSW and Racing Minister Troy Grant said Messara had been a driving force behind some of the biggest improvements to horse racing in New South Wales.
“Thoroughbred racing has a bright future in this state and Mr Messara’s advocacy for reform has played a crucial part in this, from stronger integrity measures for the sport to wagering tax parity with Victoria.” Grant said in a statement.
Messara will also relinquish his role as chairman of Racing Australia on December 31 this year in what will be a major shake-up to the state’s racing industry.
Messara will be succeeded by current Deputy Chairman, Russell Balding AO.
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