Peter V’landys, the man who transformed NSW racing during more than two decades at the helm, has resigned.
Arguably the most powerful administrator in sport, V’landys has reshaped not only the sport locally as the long-time CEO of NSW Racing, but across the country too with his aggressive stance on taxation, funding models and the creation of new races to take on the traditional pattern.
These include rich races now crucial to the spring including the Golden Eagle and his most successful creation, The Everest, now one of Australia’s greatest races.
Sydney now has a leading spring carnival that it previously didn’t, now the highest wagering period of the year.
Better known as PVL, he will finish up at Racing NSW on November 30, before taking up a role with the National Rugby League.
“Peter V’landys has been, without doubt, the most effective and successful administrator in the history of Australian sport,’’ Racing NSW Chair Dr Saranne Cooke said.
“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.
“Most importantly, he has always understood that the strength of racing begins with its participants: the owners, trainers, jockeys, breeders, stable staff, clubs and communities all around NSW whose livelihoods depend upon a strong and sustainable industry.
“There would be very few people involved in Australian racing whose circumstances have not been improved directly by Peter’s leadership.”
Racing NSW has announced that Chief Executive Peter V’Landys will leave his role at the end of his current contract after 22 years in the top job.
A remarkable contribution that has transformed thoroughbred racing in NSW and reshaped the entire Australian racing industry 👏 pic.twitter.com/1XHvlS1PGU
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 23, 2026
In a statement on Thursday, Racing NSW said under V’landys leadership, he ‘’has been the driving force behind unprecedented growth in wagering revenues’’.
‘’Mr V’landys’ many initiatives as Chief Executive of Racing NSW have seen a total of $3.5 billion in new funding procured, with new recurring annual revenues of $375 million,’’ the release said.
‘’These revenue streams will future proof the industry and are supported by over $250 million being put aside in provisions to ensure future distribution levels and club sustainability. His introduction of new concepts, spearheaded by The Everest, has seen racing in NSW attract new and younger audiences, which are the envy of racing jurisdictions around the world, and has driven record wagering and race-day attendance levels. ‘’
V’landys thanked his team in farewelling the sport.
”Naturally, this is a very sad day for me. I have put my heart and soul into racing for 22 years. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding, loyal and hardworking Boards of Directors and staff,’’ he said.
“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.”
Tabcorp CEO Gillon McLachlan paid tribute to V’landys.
“Peter’s contribution to racing as an administrator is without peer,’’ he said.
“He’s innovated, changed, executed.
“Peter is who he is because he’s a winner. He wins because he is relentless, tough, turns up every day and makes stuff happen for racing.
“We are defined by how we leave and Peter’s legacy is secure.”
Peter V’landys AM is to leave Racing NSW after a transformative tenure as CEO.
Read more – https://t.co/Xqe7ymVs8i pic.twitter.com/bJ7fLaa0iv— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 23, 2026
Entain CEO Andrew Vouris said racing in NSW has been transformed.
“Peter V’landys doesn’t follow the playbook – he rewrites it, and Australian racing and sport is better for it,” he said.
“Peter’s leadership and sheer determination have transformed racing in NSW, and everyone else has had to lift their game.”
“He rose to the challenge time and time again, particularly through the equine influenza and Covid-19 pandemics and delivering world-class products like The Everest.”
V’Landys did administration his way, winning several bruising battles to advance NSW racing, often to great opposition from other states. This included public battles with wagering operators, breeders and other administrators.
His back-and-forth with Victorian racing especially were famous as The Everest had significant impact on Melbourne races, as did The Golden Eagle and King Charles Stakes.
The Everest especially drew global attention, now worth $20 million with Group 1 status. It introduced the ‘pop-up’ race model in Australia, now widely followed.
Armed with greater revenues than other states, V’landys aggressively pursued the spring to ensure NSW was not only competitive, but the top of the tree.
He oversaw the creation of the $10 million Golden Eagle plus other races including The Big Dance, Kosciuszko, The Hunter and The Gong. The Country Championships, Provincial-Midway Championships, Highway and Midway races have been credited with creating lucrative opportunities away from racing’s traditional major events.
Other big changes during his tenure were the introduction of race fields legislation, which has generated $2 billion for the industry, while wagering tax parity has delivered another $600 million and Racing NSW’s share of Point of Consumption Tax a further $400 million.
According to figures released on Thursday, money flowing back to the industry has also increased significantly. Returns to owners and participants have grown from $110 million in 2004 to $407 million in 2025, while Saturday metropolitan prizemoney has jumped from $45,000 to $160,000. Country TAB races that were worth $5,000 in 2004 are now worth a minimum $27,000. There has also been major investment in infrastructure, including the $150 million Queen Elizabeth II Grandstand, the WINX Stand and new training tracks at Randwick and Rosehill.
