Betsy is publishing its top ten power list for both NSW and Victoria, detailing the key powerbrokers in racing and how their key relationships.
Some on these lists will be household names – there are others that punters will never heard of. But they are all crucial players in an industry worth billions of dollars.
The list is not designed to simply highlight those in positions of power or roles that give them prominence. It’s designed to have a look at those have an impact and with the ability to shape crucial decisions on how racing in Australia is run.
Sydney racing journalist Chris Roots lists his top 5 in NSW below.
Read his power list for numbers 6-10 here.
5. Waterhouse family
The Waterhouse dynasty stretches back through bookmaking and training lineages for more than 100 years. Gai Waterhouse took over her father, TJ Smith’s, Tulloch Lodge operation, and it went to another level in a hall of fame career. She is not short of opinion and is a vocal opponent of Racing NSW; until Saturday, she had not attended a Sydney race meeting in some time. Rob Waterhouse follows the family tradition as a rails bookmaker and is one of the sharpest racing minds in the country. Kate and Tom Waterhouse also work within racing. Kate is well known in the media and Tom moved to buying and selling gaming stocks. The Waterhouse name remains one of the first things that come to mind when racing is mentioned and is well recognised outside the racing bubble. Their opinions matter.
4. Zeljko Ranogejac
Rarely seen in public, Ranogejac and his betting syndicate are probably the biggest single betting client on racing in NSW. The majority of it is done on the TAB parimutuel pools, which give the highest return to the sport. His betting shapes markets. While he would never try to influence decisions, his power comes from the sheer size of his operation. His syndicate is estimated to put in up to eight per cent of the tote pools, making him the largest single investor in the highest margin form of betting. His influence cannot be fully measured because it extends to the everyday punters in pubs and clubs who follow market moves.
3. John Messara
Former Racing NSW chairman and Arrowfield Stud boss, and a leading breeder and owner, producing the stock for racing. However, it is his commercial nous from his time at Racing NSW that makes him a great leader of the industry. Messara mentored V’landys in his early days at Racing NSW, and the pair delivered The Championships, which was a forerunner of The Everest. He is a traditionalist in many ways but sees the need for change to keep racing relevant. His views these days do not always align with Racing NSW, and he has advocated for change to expand the Sydney spring to maintain a focus around Melbourne Cup week. He still holds political sway and respect within racing.
2. Gil McLachlan
As Tabcorp’s chief executive, McLachlan is tied to racing in NSW through funding agreements, television rights deals, and exclusivity arrangements that will continue well into this century. His relationship with V’landys will be crucial in making changes to the funding model, which Tabcorp is attempting to buy out of, with the State government. It’s the best and most lucrative funding deal for any racing jurisdiction in Australia, which Tabcorp wants pull back a bit as they did in Victoria. It could be his biggest challenge, as PVL mantra is not to lose on any deal for NSW racing. McLachlan is highly respected, which is a great asset, given that some of his executives have lost the confidence of racing bodies and wagering operations due to a lack of knowledge about their product. Many racing officials are telling his executives to “just send Gil” now. McLachlan could shape racing’s future as he pushes for a national tote and to transform the underperforming Tabcorp in the next couple of years.
1. Peter V’landys
His record and longevity has changed the face of Racing in NSW over the past 20 years. Usually known simply as PVL, V’landys’ influence on Australian racing began with the victory in the race fields case before the High Court, which forms the basis for funding of racing around the country. This has generated prizemoney increases and massive cash reserves for Racing NSW. While his style is not for everyone, there is no denying that what V’landys wants, V’landys gets, most of the time. If something is going to happen in racing, it requires PVL’s stamp of approval. Every major decision regarding racing in Australia must go through PVL, and without his support, it is doomed.
