Racing NSW chief executive and Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys had an early Supreme Court victory in his defamation case against Vicky Leonard and her website The Thoroughbred Report on Friday.
The court ordered that subpoenas from the defendant, Leonard and TTR, to the Australian Rugby League Commission, Racing NSW and Racing Australia be set aside and that they pay the Plaintiff, V‘landys, costs to date.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Sue Chrysanthou, SC, appearing for V’landys, described the events as a “complete capitulation”.
Leonard and TTR can lodge an amended defence to the Supreme Court before May 29 with a timetable how the case would proceed.
V’landys’ senior counsel has also” informed the Court that a Notice of Intention to File a Notice of Election for a Jury Trial has been served”.
The defamation action relates to an article published on TTR in 2024 headlined: “After twenty years at the helm, is it time racing imposed CEO term limits?”
It is understood that V’landys had made an offer to settle the case before Friday’s hearing if both parties to make a $30,000 donation to charity and the article to be taken down.
ORDERS MADE ON FRIDAY:
- The Subpoenas to Produce addressed to Australian Rugby League Commission, Racing NSW and Racing Australia dated 24 April 2026 (the Subpoenas) be set aside.
- The Defendants are to serve any proposed Amended Defence on or before 29 May 2026.
- The Plaintiff is to notify the Defendants as to whether he consents or opposes the Defendants being granted leave to file the proposed Amended Defence, together with reasons for the opposition (if applicable), on or before 12 June 2026.
- In the event that the Plaintiff consents, the Defendant is granted leave to file the proposed Amended Defence on or before 17 June 2026.
- In the event that the Plaintiff opposes leave under order 5, the matter be listed for a hearing of the relevant application, or alternatively directions, on a date suitable to the Court and the parties.
- The Plaintiff’s Reply to the Amended Defence to be filed on or before 1 July 2026.
- The parties are to serve any revised proposed categories of documents for discovery on or before 15 July 2026.
- The parties are to respond to the proposed categories of documents for discovery by 29 July 2026.
- Proceedings listed for argument and/or for directions on 21 August 2026.
- Defendants to pay the Plaintiff’s costs of and incidental to today.
- Note that the Plaintiff has through his Senior Counsel informed the Court that a Notice of Intention to File a Notice of Election for a Jury Trial has been served.
