V'Landys Under Attack!

[Chief Stipe]

Latham calls for V'Landys resignation just days before second Rosehill inquiry hearing

Written by

Keely Mckitterick

Independent NSW MP Mark Latham issued a scathing critique of Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys during a private member’s statement in the upper house on Wednesday afternoon, calling for his resignation two days before the second hearing of the inquiry into the proposed sale of Rosehill Racecourse. The schedule released by the New South Wales Parliament confirmed that V'Landys will attend the hearing on Friday, August 9, in addition to Champion trainer Chris Waller, amongst other high profile attendees.

Cover image courtesy of Save Rosehill

In a private member’s statement in the upper house on Wednesday, Independent NSW MP Mark Latham did not hold back in his personal attacks on Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys.

“Megalomania is a dreadful thing, and it’s really ruining the NSW racing industry," Latham stated. “For the sake of a sport I dearly love, I believe V’landys should resign and hand over to someone with the best interests of racing in mind, rather than the relentless pursuit of toxic power."

Latham's accusations centered on issues of "nepotism, regulatory abuse, and a lack of financial accountability" revealed during a parliamentary inquiry into the proposed development of Rosehill Racecourse. He painted a grim picture of the working environment at Racing NSW, describing it as "a toxic workplace plagued by intimidation, favouritism, electronic surveillance, and constant decision-making and interference by the CEO."

Independent NSW MP, Mark Latham

“Evidence has been presented to the committee that the worst of this dictatorial behavior is V’landys’ persistent interference in steward inquiries," Latham said. "I’m shocked to learn that the CEO intervenes in active inquiries to benefit his favorite licensed individuals and punish those who are either powerless or refuse to toe the V’landys line.”

As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, V’landys responded by challenging Latham to repeat his allegations outside of parliament, insisting there was no evidence to support the claims and accusing breeders of leading the charge against him.

He argued that "wealthy breeders" were avoiding accountability for animal welfare standards; a bold allegation considering the well-documented concerns of Thoroughbred Breeders' NSW regarding Racing NSW's lack of transparency around the Equine Welfare Fund and rehoming numbers, as highlighted in their submission and echoed by President Hamish Esplin during the first hearing.

“There is no doubt Mr Latham is running an agenda for some very wealthy breeders who don’t wish to be held to account for animal welfare.” - Peter V'landys

Read the recap from the first hearing

“There is no doubt Mr Latham is running an agenda for some very wealthy breeders who don’t wish to be held to account for animal welfare," V’landys said. “They have at all times resisted having their horses traced from birth to retirement. They are attempting a smear campaign on steroids.

"I challenge Mr. Latham to say all these things outside parliament and produce some evidence because there is none. Anyone can say anything in coward’s castle. Because everything he is saying is completely and utterly rubbish.”

Schedule of speakers announced

Also on Wednesday, the Parliament of New South Wales announced the schedule of speakers for the second hearing inquiry into the proposal to develop Rosehill Racecourse, being held on Friday, 9 August.

This inquiry follows the first hearing on Monday, 22 July, where strong allegations were made by licensed participants, not only against the proposal itself but also alluding to major governance issues within Racing NSW.

Gai Waterhouse | Image courtesy of Save Rosehill

As with the initial hearing, the second inquiry will be chaired by The Hon Scott Farlow MLC, with Emma Hurst as Deputy Chair. The remaining Select Committee is composed of Cate Faehrmann, Wes Fang, Sarah Kaine, Taylor Martin, Bob Nanva, Peter Primrose, and Damien Tudehope.

The lineup

The second inquiry into the sale of Rosehill Racecourse will begin at 9:00 am AEDT. Opening the hearing will be Australian Turf Club Chairman Peter McGauran and Steve McMahon, Head of Membership and Corporate Affairs at the Australian Turf Club.

The Vice Chair and Elected Director of the Australian Turf Club, Timothy Hale, will also be in attendance, speaking at 10:00 am AEDT following McGauran and McMahon. Industry identity Caroline Searcy, who also serves as the Director of the Australian Turf Club, will join Hale.

Owner and breeder Garry Charny, who serves on the Racing NSW board, is set to make an appearance at 11:00 am AEDT, prior to the morning tea break.

Peter V’Landys

Following morning tea, the Select Committee will hear from the Chief Executive of the NSW Trainers Association, Richard Callander.

At 11:45 am AEDT, the Chief Executive of Racing NSW, Peter V’Landys, will make a much-anticipated appearance, joined by Graeme Hinton, the Chief Operating Officer of Racing NSW.

After lunch, the Save Rosehill Group will be represented by two spokespeople: Jason Abrahams and Julia Ritchie, at 2:00 pm AEDT. Abrahams operates Champion Thoroughbreds, with horses in training across Sydney and Australia. Meanwhile, Ritchie is a prominent breeder and industry figure who is very familiar with racing's Sydney assets, as a former Director of the Australian Jockey Club and Australian Turf Club.

Jason Abrahams | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Save Rosehill Group submission

The Save Rosehill Group has strong support from industry figures such as Debbie Kepitis, Matt McGrath (former ATC Chair), Frank Cook, Bob Charley (former AJC Chair), Neil Werrett, and Greg Kenny (former STC Vice Chair). Leading trainers, including Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, John O’Shea, and Anthony Cummings, have also backed the campaign and the group's values.

There will be three experts in animal sentient to front the panel, before Rosehill-based trainers Chris Waller and Richard Freedman close the session with their questioning at 4:30 pm AEDT.

Waller came out strongly at the first ATC Members Forum where the designs were presented, saying: “Mr V'Landys, you're the best administrator we've ever had, but this (selling Rosehill Racecourse) is not part of it. You're going to come down in a crashing heap.”

“Mr V'Landys, you're the best administrator we've ever had, but this (selling Rosehill Racecourse) is not part of it. You're going to come down in a crashing heap.” - Chris Waller

“We need the next 200 years, not the next 20 years. We're one of the greatest cities, not only in Australia, but the world. Are you representing us or just rolling over to political pressure?”

On 18 July, Waller submitted a statement to the Select Committee with a more open-minded perspective to alternative options, acknowledging the “huge challenge young people face buying a home” in Sydney. However, he ultimately disagreed that Rosehill Racecourse is the appropriate site for increasing housing in the state.

Waller’s submission also stated, “Although I am totally in favour of the retention of Rosehill, I am open to suggestions of alternative proposals such as selling off part of the Rosehill precinct for housing, areas such as not regularly used car parks, and also for Rosehill to be used by the community during non-racing and training hours.”

[Chief Stipe]

NSW MP Mark Latham Calls For Peter V'Landys Resignation

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 10:56 am | Back to: Europe, Shared News Europe

Updated: August 7, 2024 at 10:58 am

 

 

Independent NSW MP Mark Latham | TTR AusNZ

Just two days prior to the second hearing of the inquiry into the proposed sale of Rosehill Racecourse, independent NSW MP Mark Latham called for the resignation of Racing NSW CEO Peter V'Landys during a private member's statement in the upper house on Wednesday, TTR AusNZ reported. V'landys is set to attend the hearing at New South Wales Parliament on Friday, as will other high profile attendees like trainer Chris Waller.

Latham's accusations were due to issues of “nepotism, regulatory abuse, and a lack of financial accountability” revealed during a parliamentary inquiry into the proposed development of Rosehill Racecourse. He also described the working environment at Racing NSW, as “a toxic workplace plagued by intimidation, favouritism, electronic surveillance, and constant decision-making and interference by the CEO.”

“Megalomania is a dreadful thing, and it's really ruining the NSW racing industry,” Latham stated. “For the sake of a sport I dearly love, I believe V'landys should resign and hand over to someone with the best interests of racing in mind, rather than the relentless pursuit of toxic power.”

“Evidence has been presented to the committee that the worst of this dictatorial behavior is V'landys' persistent interference in steward inquiries,” Latham said. “I'm shocked to learn that the CEO intervenes in active inquiries to benefit his favorite licensed individuals and punish those who are either powerless or refuse to toe the V'landys line.”

Latham's comments were answered by V'Landys and reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. The NSW CEO insisted that there was no evidence to support Latham's claims and accused breeders of leading the charge against him.

“There is no doubt Mr Latham is running an agenda for some very wealthy breeders who don't wish to be held to account for animal welfare,” V'landys said. “They have at all times resisted having their horses traced from birth to retirement. They are attempting a smear campaign on steroids.

“I challenge Mr. Latham to say all these things outside parliament and produce some evidence because there is none. Anyone can say anything in coward's castle. Because everything he is saying is completely and utterly rubbish.”

[Murray Fish]

a aside, nice to see Keely maturing as a young racing writer! I had a wee bit to do with her a few years back. *loves* things racing!