Racing Confidential: Australian Turf Club members to vote on Rosehill sale proposal next year
The Australian Turf Club will hold an extraordinary general meeting two days before Derby-Doncaster Day next year for a members vote that will determine the future of Rosehill.
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Australian Turf Club members will get a chance to vote on the proposed sale of Rosehill racecourse just before The Championships next autumn.
Chairman Peter McGauran wrote to club members this week and advised an extraordinary general meeting would be held on April 3, 2025 – two days before Derby-Doncaster Day – at which a members vote would determine the future of Rosehill.
McGauran said initial plans to have the member vote later this month has been delayed as the club continues to “fully and rigorously investigate” the proposal.
“As you know we are currently pursuing due diligence as part of Stage 2 of an Unsolicited Proposal (USP) with the NSW Government,’’ wrote McGauran in a letter obtained by Racing Confidential.
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“As part of the USP, we have received a preliminary report from Moelis Australia Advisory which has been engaged by Racing NSW to conduct the financial due diligence in relation to the proposal.
“We are obtaining a number of reports from other experts, including in relation to planning, environmental, and engineering advice for Rosehill Gardens and other proposed sites.
“Unfortunately, due diligence will not be completed in time for a vote to be held at the ATC’s AGM on November 28. The Board has determined we cannot proceed to a vote without members having all the relevant information to make a fully informed decision.’’
The Minns State Government and ATC reached a historic agreement late last year to potentially transform Rosehill into a 25,000-home community with a new school and Metro Station.
It is estimated the sale of Rosehill could generate more than $10 billion which the racing industry plans to fund the building of a new world-class racetrack in Sydney, the development of Horsley Park into a state-of-art training centre, upgrade facilities at Canterbury and Warwick Farm and still have hundreds of millions of dollar in the bank.
McGauran has described the potential sale of Rosehill as a “once-in-a-lifetime deal” that will future-proof Sydney racing.
In his letter to members this week, McGauran wrote that although the delay is challenging, the “potential of the Rosehill Gardens proposal could realise the funds to transform all of our facilities for the next generation of members, participants and racegoers and secure the ATC’s financial future, independent of wagering.’’
READ: Champion status: Via Sistina set to secure horse of year status
“This opportunity demands that we fully and rigorously investigate it for the benefit of all members,’’ he wrote.
“I respect there are strong views regarding the Rosehill proposal. This is understandable considering it is the single largest undertaking the ATC has ever considered.
“However, I ask for your patience as we continue due diligence and encourage you to keep an open mind until more information can be communicated.’’
Racing NSW has already stated it will need a replacement site if the Rosehill sale was to proceed.
The proposal has divided the racing industry with many vehemently opposed to the plan.
A parliamentary select committee examining the possible Rosehill sale is due to hand down its findings early next month.
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STILL on the ATC, the club has farewelled one of its longest-serving and most valued employees, Anne Hackett.
She announced her retirement without fanfare after working for the club at the Big Dance meeting at Royal Randwick on Cup Day.
“I just feel it is the right time,’’ Hackett said. “I didn’t want any fuss, I just wanted to finish up quietly.’’
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Hackett , a close friend of this writer, has been with ATC for 47 years and has provided catering for the jockeys, stewards and media rooms. Her smiling face, caring manner and professionalism will be sorely missed.
She won’t like me writing this, either, but it’s a little known fact that Hackett once defeated Betty Cuthbert at a St George District Athletics 100 yards sprint race - the same year Cuthbert won the 100m gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics!
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WILLIAM Haggas, the English maestro who orchestrated another stunning Sydney coup with Lake Forest in the $10 million Golden Eagle last week, also urged punters to watch out for Gilded Water, who makes his Australian debut at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Haggas trained Gilded Water for His Majesty King Charles III in England, before the horse was sent down under to be trained by Ciaron Maher.
Gilded Water, a three-year-old by northern hemisphere time, has raced only four times in England for a maiden win at Chepstow. He hasn’t started since finishing unplaced in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
“I used to train Gilded Water and he’s a really good horse,’’ Haggas said.
“He’s only had four starts, he’s by Fastnet Rock, and he’s been sent to Australia by the King but he is going to be a very good stayer.’’
Maher has given Gilded Water one barrier trial to prepare for the James Squire Handicap (1800m) with the gelding doing well to finish a close third behind Hopeful in a Warwick Farm 1200m heat.
There has been a significant early betting move for Gilded Water on TAB Fixed Odds with the import firming from $8 to $4.40 and is challenging for favouritism behind Unique Ambition ($3.80).
Interestingly, Gilded Water is bred on the same cross at the outstanding mare and runaway Cox Plate winner Via Sistina – by Fastnet Rock out of a Galileo mare.
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EXTREME Choice has become only the second stallion to sire the winners of a Golden Slipper and Melbourne Cup.
Knight’s Choice, the $91 outsider, gave Extreme Choice his Melbourne Cup winner after he sired 2021 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside.
The only other stallion to achieve this feat was Sir Tristram who sired Golden Slipper winner Marauding (1987) and three Melbourne Cup winners with Gurner’s Lane (1982), Empire Rose (1988) and Brew (2000).
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FOR a Listed race, the Five Diamonds at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday is stacked with quality as all 14 acceptors at final declaration time a rating of 102 or above.
When Desert Lightning was scratched, ATC Australian Derby winner Major Beel, with a 100 rating, gained a start.
Docklands has subsequently been withdrawn, replaced by in-form Melbourne stayer and last start Coongy Handicap winner Kingswood who has a rating of 99 with a bullet.
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WHAT THEY SAID
“Obviously, Maisie (was) premature, she had a tough start to life. In hospital for 100 days. It was very difficult. Christine, my partner, does an amazing job, she does everything for me as well.” — Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan paying tribute to his partner and daughter.
“Best country in the world, Australia. I came here eight years ago just with an ambition of having a crack, having a go, working hard and seeing what happens. Now, I’m sitting here with the Melbourne Cup. It’s crazy.’ — Dolan again after his win on Knight’s Choice.
“It’s surreal – like it was when Ethereal won (2001). To come back and do it again feels like a fairytale, and I’m very privileged to be part of this journey.” — Sheila Laxon, co-trainer of Knight’s Choice.
“It’s so special to go to a yearling sale and buy a horse for $85,000 and nurture him and come through to this pinnacle. What can you say? It’s a dream come true.” — John Symons, co-trainer of Knight’s Choice.
“Aidan (O’Brien, trainer) has followed Storm Boy closely and he thinks this horse has a big future in Europe. A lot of people that bought into Storm Boy live over there so we have decided to give him his chance overseas. We will see how he goes.” — Coolmore Australia supremo Tom Magnier.
“He has a heart as big as Phar Lap – he’s not Phar Lap by the way, but we love this horse.’’ — Kerry O’Keefe, the former Test cricketer and Fox Sports commentator, and part-owner of Barn Dance winner Gallant Star.
“I hate being in front that far out, I was just trying to get him home. We spoke about how many seconds I have had in big races over the last 12 months so I just held my nerve and Gringotts got the job done.” — jockey Tommy Berry after Gringotts won the Big Dance.
“Gringotts has got Group 1 ability. He could even be a Doncaster Mile horse next autumn.” — Johann Gerard-Dubord, stable representative for trainer Ciaron Maher.
Originally published as Racing Confidential: Australian Turf Club members to vote on Rosehill sale proposal next year
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