‘I love the sport and passion’: Racing Victoria announce new chairman

Racing Victoria directors have unanimously elected a new chair and deputy.

Mark Zahra riding Without A Fight after winning the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

New Racing Victoria chairman Tim Eddy has vowed to “unite” and “actively engage” with racing stakeholders.

RV directors unanimously elected Eddy and Sharon McCrohan as chair and deputy.

Racing Minister Anthony Carbines confirmed the appointments on Friday.

Racenet last Friday revealed Eddy as the frontrunner to chair the RV board once Gillon McLachlan withdrew from the race due to a conflict of interest.

McLachlan last Monday was announced as Tabcorp chief executive.

Eddy has more than 40 years’ experience leading and managing professional services, risk management and governance operations.

“I love the sport of thoroughbred racing and the passion of the people who live and breathe it, and I’m honoured to be entrusted with the role of Racing Victoria Chair. It is not one that I take on lightly,” Eddy said.

“I look forward to leading an immensely talented, knowledgeable and passionate Board of Directors that has been bolstered by the new appointments of Tim Rourke and Mark Player, and supporting our deeply experienced executive leadership team at Racing Victoria.

The crowd at last year’s Melbourne Cup.

“My first priority will be to actively engage with our stakeholders to keep the focus on the opportunities and challenges ahead that unite us.

“Success can only come if we work together. A strong and vibrant Victorian racing industry is in the best interests of every fan of the sport and the tens of thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on it.”

Eddy’s ownership interests include multiple Group 1 winner Zaaki, My Oberon, Nugget, Floating Artist, Riding High and Miss Leonidas.

He thanked retiring director and former acting chair Mike Hirst for his service and tenure.

Minister Carbines congratulated Eddy and McCrohan.

“Tim and Sharon bring a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to these vital roles and I look forward to them leading the critical work of the RV Board to ensure Victoria remains a world leader in thoroughbred racing,” Carbines said.

Stakeholders including the VRC, MRC, MVRC, Southside Racing, Australian Trainers’ Association, Victorian Jockeys’ Association and Country Racing Victoria, endorsed the Eddy-McCrohan ticket.

Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners chair, Jonathan Munz, however, did not want someone from the existing board to be appointed chairman, saying it would be a huge mistake.

Originally published as ‘I love the sport and passion’: Racing Victoria announce new chairman