by TDN AusNZ
Racing Australia has had its second high-profile resignation this week, with John Messara stepping down as the Chair of the embattled body, just a day after it was announced CEO Myles Foreman would be leaving.
Messara was appointed the first Independent Chairman in June last year replacing Greg Nichols and was charged with the task of breaking the state-based deadlock which has plagued the organisation for several years.
However, he was not able to reconcile the differences between the major state bodies, chiefly Racing New South Wales and Racing Victoria, nor was he able to progress on the stated aims of Racing Australia and he has decided to step down.
“I joined the Board of Racing Australia as its first-ever Independent Chairman with the intention of reconciling differences,” he said in a short statement.
“I am now stepping aside to allow the Board to vote in a new Chair, who I hope will have more success than I have had.”
When Messara assumed the role of Chair, he listed animal welfare, whip reform and the prolonged debate between the states over the group and listed racing Pattern as priorities to address.
The Board, which will shortly consider the replacement process for a new Chair, paid tribute to Messara, who also held the position of Chairman from 2014 to 2016.
The Arrowfield Chairman has a long list of leadership roles in Australian racing, including as Racing NSW Chairman from 2011 to 2016.
On Tuesday, Racing Australia confirmed that Foreman would step down as CEO after two years in the role and 16 years with the organisation.
“The Board joins me in thanking Myles for his hard work and dedication to the advancement of Australian racing and breeding over the past 16 years and we wish him well in the future, including in the establishment of his sports and business consultancy company,” Messara said on Tuesday.
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