Tom Reilly has been removed as CEO of the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC).
MRC Chairman John Kanga said:
“Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Tom was only CEO for three months and when things don’t go as well as they should, it is best to pivot and move on.”
“Everyone can be assured that we have put a management structure in place to ensure a smooth transition . I will spend substantial time at the Club as Chairman, as I did before Tom Reilly was appointed and am pleased to announce that we have appointed Tanya Fullarton as Chief Operating Officer to work with me. Tanya has an excellent reputation and deep experience and relationships across the racing industry . She has in excess of 30 years commercial experience at a high level, with a skill set incorporating and including event management, business management, administration, marketing and sponsorship and has grown her management consultancy business over recent years to provide a series of important roles and services for corporate and racing clients.”
“In my short time as MRC Chairman, we have successfully turned the Club around, restoring the confidence of members and industry participants and making common sense decisions. This was immediately implemented by me in the months after I was appointed last October. It included saving racing at Sandown, relocating the Caulfield racecourse mounting yard to its original position, reversing the proposal to build a wasteful new grandstand at Caulfield, entering an agreement to sell excess land next to Caulfield racecourse for $195 million to pay off debt incurred by the previous committee and generally improving management accountability and service to members, including important things like cheaper food and drink on course. “
“Tanya and I, plus all of the MRC management team, will ensure this continues into the future. In that regard, I have recently acknowledged that our race tracks need to improve and have made it my priority to turn that around. Unfortunately, this is something we have inherited. We have engaged the manager of Pinecliff, regarded as Australia’s premier private training centre, as a consultant for the next few months to help us work out the best approach and protocols going forward and he has brought on board the best team of outside agronomists available to advise on turf and soil maintenance and management . I am confident this will result in significant improvement and ask that everyone is patient while this occurs.”
