Racing Queensland gets its man with Tasracing boss Eliot Forbes appointed as chief executive

AFTER more than a year in the doldrums, Racing Queensland has a chance at a fresh start with the appointment of Dr Eliot Forbes as chief executive.

Dr Eliot Forbes comes to Racing Queensland with a long track record of racing industry leadership and appears the perfect choice to take RQ into a new era.

AFTER more than a year in the doldrums, Racing Queensland has a chance at a fresh start on Friday with the appointment of Dr Eliot Forbes as chief executive.

However the Tasracing boss and qualified vet will confront an immediate crisis when he starts next month after the bombshell decision to shut down NSW greyhound racing.

Queensland greyhound participants fear they are now in the firing line and will demand a quick assurance from Forbes their jobs are not under threat.

Another big challenge for Forbes is how to meet the expectations of a Queensland racing industry which is crying out for more money.

Born-and-bred Queenslander Forbes will start on August 22 after a chaotic time for Racing Queensland in the wake of last year’s greyhound live baiting scandal.

Darren Condon was sacked as RQ chief executive last July and all racing boards dismissed after a damning report by QC Alan MacSporran.

Forbes on Thursday night indicated that exploring digital innovation in racing would be one of his many key missions.

“The wagering landscape is dynamic and competitive and the Queensland racing industry must continue to ensure that it is aligned to customer trends,” Dr Forbes said.

“Fortunately the digital world provides racing with unparalleled opportunities for product and broadcast innovation and this will undoubtedly be a key focus to ensure racing remains relevant for 21st century audiences.

“I look forward to meeting industry stakeholders from the three codes of racing and working with them to drive the Queensland industry towards an ambitious and prosperous future.

“Queensland is my home state and after many years working in racing around the world, it feels great to be coming home.”

Queensland is my home state and after many years working in racing around the world, it feels great to be coming home.

- Dr Eliot Forbes

Before his job in Tasmania Forbes was the long-running chief vet for the world’s richest race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

Forbes was also part of the project team which built and opened Dubai’s iconic Meydan racecourse in 2010 and led the event team which delivered the 31st Asian Racing Conference in 2007.

He is an adviser to the board of Racing Australia, a director of Greyhounds Australasia and a member of the chief executive committee of Harness Racing Australia.

Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace said Forbes had a long track record of racing industry leadership and was the perfect choice to take RQ into a new era.

“In his current role as the CEO of Tasracing, Dr Forbes has overseen the transformation of the racing industry in Tasmania, with record wagering growth, a landmark $9.8 million financial turnaround for the company in 2012-13 and the successful international expansion of thoroughbred night racing,” Grace said.

To have a highly successful Queenslander returning home after 21 years with a passion to achieve growth in racing across all of our state is a huge positive.

- RQ chairman Steve Wilson

“He previously led the project team on the successful Devonport racecourse redevelopment and as a qualified vet, he understands the importance of animal welfare to racing.

“He has held senior racing positions in the United Arab Emirates and practised equine veterinary surgery in Australia, Macau, Qatar and the UK.”

RQ chairman Steve Wilson said Dr Forbes was appointed via an independent merit-based selection process.

“Our new board, who have reviewed the candidates, are most impressed by Dr Forbes’ depth of experience across all codes in multiple jurisdictions,” Wilson said.

“To have a highly successful Queenslander returning home after 21 years with a passion to achieve growth in racing across all of our state is a huge positive.”

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Immediate crisis: One of Dr Eliot Forbes’s first tasks will be reassuring people like Queensland trainer and owner Brenton Wilson that they are not in the firing line. Picture: Tara Croser

Originally published as Racing Queensland gets its man with Tasracing boss Eliot Forbes appointed as chief executive