EXCLUSIVE: Tom Reilly appointed as Melbourne Racing Club CEO

Melbourne Racing Club has appointed influential breeding and racing figure Tom Reilly as chief executive officer.

Melbourne Racing Club has appointed influential breeding and racing figure Tom Reilly as chief executive officer.

Reilly, a former senior journalist and editor, has successfully led Thoroughbred Breeders’ Australia and its marketing arm Aushorse, for the past decade.

Reilly, who went close in the Racing Victoria chief executive recruitment earlier in the year, has the knowledge and experience to lead MRC operations, including racing, hospitality and development.

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MRC chairman John Kanga confirmed the appointment.

“The board is very excited to have Tom lead the team at the MRC,” Kanga said.

“We wanted someone with deep racing knowledge and experience and Tom will bring that to the club.

“He is well respected throughout the racing industry and with his extensive contacts and knowledge, both in Australia and internationally … has a genuine love and passion for the industry.”

Kanga said Reilly shared the vision to make the MRC more efficient and accountable to members, customers and participants, with an aim on racing programs and events to benefit racing in general.

Great evening in Canberra on Monday talking about the Thoroughbred Industry in Parliament House to a large group of politicians from across the chamber. You can read about it here:#ttranzhttps://t.co/aLw2UuTIGd via @TTRAusNZpic.twitter.com/0BpY8p1fOl

— Tom Reilly (@tomjamesreilly) October 19, 2023

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Reilly will officially start in the role at the end of January.

“It’s a great honour to be given this opportunity,” Reilly said.

“The MRC is one of the great race clubs, not just in Australia, but globally.

“For anyone passionate about the future of racing, then running the MRC is a wonderful opportunity.

“The club ran more race meetings than any other in Victoria last season and has three great racecourses, as well as some of the major Group 1 races in the Australian racing calendar.

“Having met with the board I’m excited by their shared vision to make sure racing is at the heart of the MRC’s endeavours and … maximising the potential of our three racecourses and other assets.”

A pleasure to attend the ⁦⁦@AgriFuturesAU⁩ rural women’s award last night. 7 wonderful finalists, each with an inspiring story of improving rural communities. Great event driven by passion of Kay Hull AO. @MurrayWatt ⁦@SenRaffCiccone⁩ ⁦@MerylSwanson⁩ pic.twitter.com/KucEX9MtL1

— Tom Reilly (@tomjamesreilly) September 7, 2022

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The MRC business includes Caulfield, Sandown and Mornington racecourses, hospitality venues and significant property assets with scope for development and sale.

The MRC secured its financial future a fortnight ago with a $195m option agreement to sell a parcel of land west of Caulfield Racecourse to Mount Scopus Memorial College.

The Reilly appointment completes a three-month Kanga-led MRC board and executive renewal.

Kanga confirmed the club is on track in its commitment to reinstate the old mounting yard in front of the Sir Rupert Clarke Grandstand in time for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes on February 22.