John Messara, the longest serving chairman of Racing NSW, has announced he will be stepping down from the board at the end of 2016.
Messara has been the chairman of the Racing NSW board for the past five years and has overseen a host of initiatives including the establishment of The Championships and the Investigation and Surveillance Unit.
Messara’s tenure has also seen Racing NSW reach tax parity with their Victorian counterparts, as well as a significant increase in prizemoney available in the state.
The news comes as something of a shock, given Messara was given another three-year appointment as chairman just last December. However, the retiring chairman said he had achieved all of his aims at the helm of Racing NSW’s board.
“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 5 years,” Messara said.
“I wish to give special thanks to the chief executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM who has been a tower of strength during what has been an often challenging scenario.”
The current deputy chairman of Racing NSW, Russell Balding, paid tribute to Messara’s impact on racing in NSW.
“John Messara is the longest serving Chairman of Racing NSW and is an icon in the Australian thoroughbred racing industry; he will be greatly missed,” Balding said.
“Under his leadership, the NSW thoroughbred racing industry has regained its mantle as the leading jurisdiction in the southern hemisphere. Annual prizemoney has all but doubled from $118 million to $203 million during his term with particular focus on country and provincial racing.
“Importantly, NSW now has a flagship carnival in The Championships.
“In addition to driving substantial commercial growth and financial sustainability in the NSW racing industry, John also deserves recognition for the measures introduced to secure the integrity of the sport.”
NSW racing minister Troy Grant is expected to announce Messara’s successor in the coming days.
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