Melbourne Cup racing boss departs Flemington to ‘explore opportunities’

Insiders have been puzzled as a senior racing figure left Flemington after spending a decade climbing the ranks.

A high ranking racing official has departed Flemington after more than a decade to “explore new opportunities”.

The Victoria Racing Club confirmed on Thursday that Peter Mineo had left his senior role, which was crucial to delivering the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Mr Mineo made the decision to pull the pin after Without A Fight took out this year’s Melbourne Cup.

Insiders say his departure was surprising given he had worked his way up through the ranks at Flemington after stints at Wilson Sporting Goods and Forethought Research.

Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich. Photo: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich said Mr Mineo had left the organisation.

“After ten years with the VRC, including the delivery of a successful 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival, Executive General Manager Commercial Operations, Peter Mineo, decided to explore new opportunities,” he said.

“Luke Kinniburgh our Executive General Manager Experience & Events has stepped into the role of Executive General Manager Commercial Operations in the interim.”

Without A Fight won last year’s Melbourne Cup. Picture: Mark Stewart.

Mr Mineo was a former St Joseph’s College North Melbourne student and a popular tennis coach in Essendon.

He also did a Masters in Business and Sport Management at Deakin University, earning that degree in 2007.

Neither Mr Kinniburgh or Mr Mineo have updated their LinkedIn profiles to reflect their changed roles.

Mr Mineo was approached for comment.

Originally published as Melbourne Cup racing boss departs Flemington to ‘explore opportunities’