Our favourite kind of succession plan is a comprehensive one, where the candidate is found already sitting in the boardroom.
But then again, the Victoria Racing Club somehow avoids costly political fights that seem to pop-up elsewhere…
To say the retirement of powerful industry figure and Victoria Racing Club chairman Neil Wilson caught a few by surprise is an understatement.
As was the ‘’appointment’’ of Vin Cox. Many thought that when Wilson gave it away, his deputy Michael Ramsden would get the gig.
Ramsden’s father, Andrew, was also a VRC chairman after all.
None of this is especially interesting to the punters, but dear reader, the ramifications are likely to be felt.
There has been significant chatter about whether or not Wilson would run for re-election in December. His supporters had been sounding out potential rivals.
Several potential candidates for the board were waiting to see what he’d do, with a few not wanting to get into a political fight [not that a few don’t mind that kind of warfare].
That impediment has been removed.
It will be fascinating to see who comes out to have a crack. There is a sniff of change in the air.
Wilson’s retirement removes a significant powerbroker from racing, one who wasn’t shy of cracking in hard if he thought it was in the interests of his club.
An impressive media performer and even better networker, he fought many battles with Racing Victoria, mostly around funding.
His deal for the Cup media rights annoyed the industry and Channel 7 beyond belief, but the financial returns to the club are very healthy. It’s a deal that was rumoured to be so good for the club, some on the other side later had regrets.
Wilson is known too to be against any attempts to merge operations with other Melbourne clubs. He is a big believer in the tradition of the VRC – once being annoyed that former RV CEO Andrew Jones advocated for no ties on race days.
While some occasionally criticise the club as being out of touch with modern-day punters, the VRC remains steadfast in celebrating its history and traditions. It’s track is hands-down the best in the state and according to the club, its membership numbers remain healthy and on-course attendances are up.
But for the VRC and all the Melbourne clubs, mergers or efficiencies, as Racing Victoria will put it, will be a big talking point in 2027.
Racing in Victoria – with the backing of the state government – must become cheaper to run. Mergers is the quickest way there.
It would represent one of the biggest changes in Victorian racing in decades. It’s something that Wilson and the VRC are currently believed to be against.
RV CEO Aaron Morrison told Betsy the industry could save up to $50 million a year if clubs merge their back-of-house operations.
The comment has gathered the attention of racing’s top trainers and participants – expect them to push hard.
But some powerful opponents weren’t convinced. One of those, in Wilson, won’t be around to fight that battle.
Betsy was aware of discussions among other Victorian clubs about the importance of Wilson’s successor being open to greater integration. Again, they thought they would be dealing with Ramsden.
But in a move racing does best, the club had ‘’a comprehensive succession process’’ in secret before giving Cox the gig.
Now Cox may well be qualified and has a long history in racing, but the road to his appointment in the immediate aftermath has a few people talking.
Cox, Betsy is told, is up for re-election in December. Why not wait until then and make sure he’s returned? And why not give its huge member base a say? What happens to the comprehensive succession plan if Cox is rolled?
The club has definitely made some progress of late. Attendances are up, the club has secured world-class music acts for the Cup Carnival and we’re told the club will post some good numbers when it comes time to release its financial statements in the coming months.
The road to a greater financial position remains ongoing and this is one area that RV might use to help some within the VRC to join forces with others. The club and RV too will announce shortly a big redevelopment of the club’s training facilities, a much-needed investment.
There are issues too for the new chairman – especially around the price and quality of food and booze – not to mention other member services. A recent meeting had punters [and the Racing Minister!] waiting 30 minutes just to get into the course. It is these issues that some considering running for the VRC believe will turn votes.
These issues – plus the price of a membership – may seem minor in the scheme of a sport as big as racing, but it’s often the little things voters [aka members] care about the most.
Rumours were flying on Thursday morning about who may have a crack at the VRC board.
Again, most punters won’t care.
But if the all-powerful VRC positions itself differently from how it did under Wilson, Victorian racing could look vastly different.
The smart money would have Cox take a similar path as Wilson given he has been on the VRC board previously.
There are a few who considering running who will just want to focus on improving the VRC – but others see a bigger picture for the sport.
And if it means the VRC working with other clubs so the Victorian industry is $50 million a year better off – don’t rule out some very prominent racing voices lending their opinions to what could happen at the VRC. Many have zero interest in who sits in committee rooms, but you’ll get their attention if you start talking increased prize money returns.
But for now, Wilson will enjoy one last spring delivering the famous Cup Carnival – full of big race days and a Robbie Williams concert.
Meanwhile, those eyeing off potentially running to join Victoria’s oldest and most prestigious club have some decisions to make.
