‘Massive coup’: Racing NSW supremo Peter V’Landys hopes former AFL chief Gillon McLachlan lands top racing job in Victoria

Gillon McLachlan “will do a brilliant job” if he lands the vacant chairman’s role at Racing Victoria, says his former NRL foe and Racing NSW boss Peter V’Landys.

Gillon McLachlan has been strongly linked to the top job in Victorian horse racing.

They never needed to pass a football to each other in previous roles, but Peter V’landys and Gillon McLachlan might end up in the same race together soon.

Two ruthless and formidable bulls in the top paddock.

Fire and brimstone — or peace deal?

McLachlan has the whip hand, should he apply to join the Racing Victoria board and duly be anointed chairman.

The respected and successful powerbrokers were indirect opponents leading the nation’s biggest football codes, V’landys chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission and McLachlan, former AFL chief executive.

In racing they at least should be largely aligned in pursuit of a common goal to promote the sport and help it attract generation next and claw back lost market share.

Should McLachlan be appointed chairman of Racing Victoria, as is widely expected, then he will need a good working relationship with Racing NSW CEO V’landys, given the racing industry roles are intrinsically linked.

Peter V’landys is a known fierce negotiator.

Racing Australia, the sport’s national body, has been paralysed in recent years with officials from NSW and Victoria primarily unable to meet, lest reach common ground.

The stalemate has resulted in issues of national racing significance being mothballed, including new horse welfare initiatives, whip reform and amendments to the classification of races, including the schedule or “pattern”.

READ | ANALYSIS: ‘Serious ramifications’ loom with Gillon McLachlan appointment

Without a meeting of the RA Pattern Committee any new races, like The Everest and All-Star Mile, cannot be considered for Group 1 status despite commensurate fields in class, quality and depth.

A bold record in AFL administration aside, including billion dollar broadcast details, expansion, conflict resolution and management, McLachlan and V’landys coexisted on a foundation of mutual respect.

Victorian Racing Minister Anthony Carbines with Gillon McLachlan at last year’s Cox Plate in Melbourne.

The men crossed paths only occasionally in their footy roles but McLachlan left a good impression on V’landys.

“I haven’t had a lot of dealings with him but we have spoken to each other at various functions and he is very affable,” V’landys said.

There have been times the ferocious deal-makers were at odds, most notably at the start of the Covid pandemic.

READ | ‘He’s a punter’: Reaction to Gillon McLachlan’s expected appointment as RV chair

As the nation virtually shut down in 2020, V’landys found a way to get the NRL season started in late May, months ahead of when McLachlan was planning an abbreviated AFL premiership campaign.

The determination to get the NRL season going – V’landys also kept NSW racing operating during the pandemic – forced major sporting codes around the world, including McLachlan and the AFL, to get their competitions underway.

The Everest has become a behemoth in Australian racing since it was first run in 2017. Pictured is Think About It (left) winning last year.

McLachlan also watched with interest the success of the NRL’s Magic Round, a full round of games played in one city over a weekend, and decided to do something similar, the AFL’s Gather Round.

Both men are regarded as politically astute, renowned tough negotiators, and know the importance of growing their market share and footprint.

McLachlan heralded a suite of rule changes and initiatives towards the end of his AFL era designed to speed up the game, having identified a shift in fan demographic and attention span.

A major asset McLachlan brings is the capacity to open corporate and government doors for racing Australia-wide, through existing contacts and relationships.

READ | Racing Victoria set to beat board challenge, but pressure still on executives

“He’s proven his wares, proven he can manage, proven he can deal and negotiate in a positive manner,” a well-placed source said.

Importantly, McLachlan is a passionate racing enthusiast, who likes a punt and has owned and bred racehorses.

His great grandfather owned the 1931 Melbourne Cup winner, White Nose.

“He loves racing and one of the big challenges of the sport is the connection (Australia-wide), how to deal with the wagering service providers so it’s fair for everyone,” the source said.

“He’s a punter, understands from a user point what’s happening, I think it would be a big positive for the sport, I really do.”

Without A Fight winning the 2023 Melbourne Cup.

But when pressed on the likelihood of McLachlan getting the top job at Racing Victoria, V’landys had nothing but praise.

“I think Gill McLachlan will do a brilliant job,’’ V’landys said.

“He is one of the leading sports administrators in the world, so Racing Victoria will be very fortunate if they get him as chairman.

“I think it would be a massive coup for Racing Victoria, they will have done very well if they get him.”

McLachlan cannot formally apply, should he wish to do so, for the RV board until a resignation is received and the position formally advertised.

Acting RV chairman Mike Hirst and Greg Nichols, the longest serving member on the board, are set to bring forward planned resignations as part of an agreed renewal process.

The good thing for racing, in a perfect world, is that McLachlan, like V’landys, is a winner.

FACT FILE

GILLON McLACHLAN

Age: 51

Spouse: Laura McLachlan (married 2003)

Education: The University of Melbourne – Bachelor of Laws degree

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Joined AFL – 2002

2003 – Appointed chief commercial operations officer

2008 – Appointed chief operating officer

2012 – Appointed deputy chief executive officer

2014 – Appointed chief executive

2023 – Stood down as AFL CEO

PETER V’LANDYS

Age: 62

Spouse: Philippa V’landys (married 2003)

Education: The University of Wollongong – Bachelor of Commerce degree

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1988 – Appointed NSW Harness Racing chief executive officer

2004 – Appointed Racing NSW chief executive officer and board member

2018 – Appointed Australian Rugby League Commission board member

2019 - Appointed ARL Commission chairman

Originally published as ‘Massive coup’: Racing NSW supremo Peter V’Landys hopes former AFL chief Gillon McLachlan lands top racing job in Victoria