Peter V'landys stepping down as Racing NSW CEO

The NSW racing fraternity is set for a significant leadership change, as Peter V'landys prepares to transition from his role as Racing NSW chief executive to take up the position of executive chairman at the Australian Rugby League Commission.

This morning, V'landys announced his intention to vacate his CEO position at Racing NSW once his existing contract expires on November 30.

After two decades at the helm of Racing NSW, V'landys is expected to officially confirm his acceptance of the offer to become the inaugural executive chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission.

The state of NSW racing has undergone remarkable transformation during V'landys' extensive tenure.

A formidable negotiator, V'landys was known for his direct approach and willingness to overcome obstacles to achieve desired outcomes.

Under his stewardship, NSW racing has evolved into a prominent entity within Australian and global racing circles, boasting significant prizemoney increases and enhanced financial returns for industry participants.

"Naturally, this is a very sad day for me. I have put my heart and soul into racing for 22 years,'' V'landys expressed.

"I have been fortunate to work with outstanding, loyal and hardworking Boards of Directors and staff.

"I was just a member of a dedicated team of professionals who were able to generate outstanding outcomes for Racing NSW.

"As a team, we went from a struggling jurisdiction to a world-leading jurisdiction.

"I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been in our team. I will miss them greatly and I wish the industry every success."

Graeme Hinton, who has served as V'landys' deputy for a considerable period, is currently acting as the interim Racing NSW chief executive and is a leading candidate for the permanent appointment.

V'landys' record of achievements as Racing NSW chief executive is truly exceptional, and his impact is undeniable. He never apologised for his unwavering commitment to placing the NSW racing industry and its participants first, a stance that sometimes generated division.

In a statement released by Racing NSW this morning, confirming V'landys' exit from the sport following the spring carnival, it detailed his instrumental role in driving "unprecedented growth in wagering revenues, which has led to unparalleled returns to owners and participants in the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry".

V'landys has been instrumental in securing $3.5 billion in new funding, establishing recurring annual revenues amounting to $375 million.

These revenue streams are designed to future-proof the industry, with over $250 million earmarked in provisions to guarantee future distribution levels and the sustainability of clubs.

Racing NSW Chair Dr Saranne Cooke commented on V'landys' contributions, stating they are without parallel.

"Peter V'landys has been, without doubt, the most effective and successful administrator in the history of Australian sport," Dr Cooke stated.

"His contribution cannot simply be measured by the extraordinary growth of racing in NSW during his tenure. Peter has fundamentally changed the trajectory of racing in this country and made NSW one of the world's leading racing jurisdictions.

"He has fought relentlessly for participants, challenged long-established conventions, created new revenue streams and consistently ensured that racing was protected during two decades of challenges.''

The Racing NSW press release further outlined V'landys' significant accomplishments. These included the successful implementation and defence of race fields legislation, establishing the principle of wagering operators compensating the industry for its product, which has generated $2 billion in revenue since its inception. His advocacy for wagering tax parity in NSW has resulted in $600 million in industry revenue, and negotiations for a share of the Point of Consumption Tax have yielded $400 million.

He also oversaw the sale of Trackside to Tabcorp, funding the $150 million Queen Elizabeth II Grandstand at Royal Randwick Racecourse, and established a Randwick capital fund, enabling the construction of the WINX public stand and new training facilities at Randwick and Rosehill.

Maximising returns for owners and participants was a key focus, with total returns to owners and participants increasing from $110 million in 2004 to $407 million in 2025, an annual increase of $297 million or 270%. Racing NSW's participant returns are now $110 million higher per annum than any other state in Australia.

Minimum prizemoney levels across all sectors have been elevated, with Saturday Metropolitan prizemoney rising from $45,000 in 2004 to $160,000 in 2026, and Country TAB prizemoney from $5,000 to $27,000, complemented by substantial additional Country prizemoney through boosted races and showcase meetings.

The creation of The Everest, now the world's richest race on turf, has become a globally recognised event, boosting Sydney's Spring Racing Carnival profile and attracting a younger demographic, with its 10th year anticipating a record sell-out.

Further innovations in major race development include The Golden Eagle, The Big Dance, The Kosciuszko, The Hunter, and The Gong, all designed to promote elite racing in Country and Provincial areas.

The Country Championships Series and Provincial-Midway Championships Series were introduced to provide aspirational races for all NSW racing sectors, featuring qualifying races across NSW with $150,000 prizemoney each and a $1 million Final at Royal Randwick for both series.

Significant advancements for Country racing include the establishment of The Highway races at each Saturday Metropolitan race meeting, offering $120,000 per race exclusively for horses trained in the country.

The development of the midway race concept aims to enhance the competitiveness of small-to-medium Metropolitan and Provincial stables, featuring weekly $100,000 races at Saturday Metropolitan meetings and an annual feature, The Four Pillars, with $500,000 in prizemoney.

The creation of the Stablehands Bonus payment, distributing 2% of all prizemoney to stable staff, marks NSW as the only state providing such a reward for the industry's lowest-paid workers.

Racing NSW has also established the world's most comprehensive equine welfare program, being the first jurisdiction to deduct a percentage of prizemoney for welfare initiatives and prohibiting the sale of retired Thoroughbreds to abattoirs, supported by traceability programs and the $1 million Equimillion event.

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