Racing Victoria’s chief vet Dr Brian Stewart resigns to take up role in Hong Kong

RACING Victoria’s head vet Dr Brian Stewart has resigned and will return to Hong Kong.

Racing Victoria’s outgoing chief vet Dr Brian Stewart will return to Hong Kong at the end of the Melbourne Cup carnival. Picture: Ian Currie

RACING Victoria’s head vet Dr Brian Stewart has resigned and will return to Hong Kong.

RV is now looking for a chief executive to replace Bernard Saundry, a head vet and a Racing.com chief executive after Scott Perrin’s departure.

Stewart joined RV in 2011 and has headed the equine welfare department during the turbulent cobalt era.

Stewart has been appointed Hong Kong Jockey Club’s head of veterinary regulation and biosecurity.

Part of his portfolio will ­include management of the movement of horses between Hong Kong and the HKJC’s Conghua training centre in China.

Stewart, who worked for the HKJC from 2002 to 2011, said it was an opportunity too good to knock back and it was like going back home.

Saundry, who leaves his job at the end of the year, said yesterday RV was disappointed to lose Stewart.

“We understand it is great opportunity for him to play an important role for the Hong Kong Jockey Club in the ­expansion of thoroughbred training into China,” he said.

Stewart will finish on Nov­ember 5, the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.