Mike Sneesby racing off to US after leaving Nine Entertainment

Breaking his silence at the races, for the first time since a #MeToo-style scandal engulfed Nine, former boss Mike Sneesby revealed he would fly out to the US on Wednesday.

Former Nine boss Mike Sneesby with wife Ursula at Royal Randwick Racecourse for The Big Dance.

Former Nine boss Mike ­Sneesby flies out of Australia on Wednesday on an overseas trip as he considers his next career move after quitting the media giant after a scandal-filled year.

Breaking his silence for the first time since a #MeToo-style scandal engulfed Nine, including the departure of former news boss Darren Wick following allegations of inappropriate behaviour, Mr Sneesby told The Daily Telegraph he would head to the US for a series of meetings after enjoying a much-needed break with his son on the NSW north coast.

Mr Sneesby departed as chief executive of Nine Entertainment at the end of September, ahead of the release of a report into workplace culture at the network.

At Royal Randwick on Tuesday, a relaxed Mr Sneesby, alongside wife Ursula, enjoyed the hospitality in the VIP Ballroom at The Big Dance.

Former Nine CEO Mike Sneesby outside the ballroom lounge at Royal Randwick Racecourse on The Big Dance race day on Tuesday. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

There, he opened up on his immediate plans for the future.

“I’ve spent a bit of time with my son camping and fishing, which was my highest priority the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“I finished up at Nine on the first day of school holidays and we did a road trip up to Byron.

“We fished and camped, stayed in tents, stayed in hotels.

“Tomorrow I’m off to the US, spending a few weeks over there just talking to people in my network.

“My family will join me towards the end of November.”

Mike Sneesby at The Big Dance.

Mike Sneesby at The Big Dance.

Nine Entertainment — owner of Channel 9, 2GB radio and the Sydney Morning Herald — has come under intense scrutiny this year.

On October 17, an independent report into culture at Nine found “a systemic issue with abuse of power and authority; bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment”.

The review included interviews with current and past employees, and a company-wide survey, and found 52 per cent of staff claimed to have experienced or witnessed abuse of power, 49 per cent said they had experienced bullying, discrimination or harassment, and 24 per cent said they had experienced sexual harassment.

The investigation was launched after shock allegations were made against Wick, with several women coming forward to claim he had sexually harassed them and was part of a toxic newsroom culture.

In June, Nine Chairman Peter Costello resigned days after a clash with a journalist at Canberra Airport and on October 14, it was announced that Nine communications boss Victoria Buchan had been made redundant.