Racing Victoria shake-up as chief pulls pin ahead of McLachlan’s arrival

Incoming Racing Victoria chairman Gillon McLachlan will be free to hand-pick his own chief executive officer after the resignation of Andrew Jones.

Jones sent an internal email to staff on Friday morning to tell them it was the “right time to move on” after less than two years in the role. Jones was contacted for further comment.

Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones has resigned.Credit: Jason South

His resignation comes as the industry prepares for a new-look board.

Heading up that board will be former AFL supremo McLachlan who wants to start his reign as chairman with a fresh executive, according to two sources close to the situation, but not authorised to comment publicly.

McLachlan was contacted for comment.

McLachlan’s ability to affect change at the top of the industry has come about even before he has joined the board.

The two sources said McLachlan, who walked away from his AFL role last October, was expected to be appointed as a director by Racing Minister Anthony Carbines next month.

Before that happens he will need to sit before a special industry interview panel that includes billionaire racehorse owner Jonathan Munz. All prospective candidates are interviewed by the panel.

The two sources said McLachlan’s influence had also enabled him to handpick two new directors, Tim Rourke and Mark Player, to join him on the board in coming weeks.

Each new board appointment is made by the Racing Minister.

Former AFL boss Gillon McLachlan is widely expected to become the new chair of Racing Victoria.Credit: Paul Jeffers

With Jones expected to step away from Racing Victoria in the “near term”, RV chief operating officer Aaron Morrison will become interim CEO.

“Having served under two chairmen, my resignation makes way for the new chair and board to select a new CEO to take Racing Victoria forward into the future,” Jones said in a Racing Victoria statement announcing his departure on Friday morning.

The sources told this masthead that former St Kilda CEO and one-time AFL football operations manager Simon Lethlean would not be considered for the racing job.

They also said McLachlan was not interested at this stage in the prospect of merging the chairman and CEO roles for him to become an all-powerful executive chairman.

Jones was brought into Racing Victoria as an agent of change in July 2022, following his success at helping create the highly lucrative Big Bash League for Cricket Australia.

But he upset traditionalists with his direct style of management and haste to introduce innovations such as interactive jockey earpieces, a whip-free summer racing series and a teams-based competition that involved hand-picked trainers and their horses.

Jones also called for relaxed dress codes, such as the removal of ties and jackets, to make the sport more accessible and attract a younger audience.

Munz, chairman of the Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association, repeatedly called for Jones to be sacked.

Munz’s owners association also called a special general meeting in February this year in a failed attempt to spill the industry board because directors continued to back Jones.

Jones made no apologies for his approach to bring about change and improve racing formats in a bid to grow the sport’s audience and increase revenue.

“I came to the role with a clear view on the challenges facing the industry, and I leave knowing I left nothing on the table,” Jones said.

“I thank my team at RV for their enormous efforts over the past two years which include the delivery of more than $2b in future funding for racing, an improved schedule, a dedicated media business to grow the sport, world-class equine welfare policies, increased support for jockeys and trainers, and the first significant club merger in decades.

“Growing the fan base of this fantastic sport remains the No.1 challenge to secure its future sustainability, and I wish Racing Victoria every success under its new leadership.”

Mike Hirst, RV’s acting chairman, said Jones had brought fresh eyes and views during his tenure.

“He challenged the industry to be more ambitious, and to rethink everything from programming and prizemoney distribution, to growing the fan base and participant and equine welfare.

“In the face of a declining wagering environment, his leadership has been instrumental in sustaining an industry which supports more than 25,000 jobs across the state.”

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