FOR SALE: Rosehill - Sandown - Avondale

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3 different Tracks, 3 different jurisdictions,  a interesting range of subject covered....

 An in-depth interview with Racing Victoria’s new CEO

written by Renee Geelen

Aaron Morrison is the new CEO of Racing Victoria and the internal appointment comes after seven years in the organisation in roles such as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Appointed in May 2024 as the interim CEO, Morrison was officially announced as Racing Victoria’s CEO in August 2024. With a background in wagering, Morrison brings plenty of experience to the role. An owner in several horses, and someone who loves to head to his local pub with mates on a Saturday for a punt, Morrison embodies the customer side of racing while combining a strong working knowledge in the commercial aspects of the various forms of gaming.

A background in the gaming business

“I’ve been at Racing Victoria for seven years,” Morrison said. “Before that, my main background in corporate was in casinos, as well as pubs and hospitality type businesses. I was at Crown Casino for 16 years, then took an opportunity with Sky City Entertainment Group who operate in Australia and New Zealand.

“It was a very corporate type of career, looking after international corporations, looking at new casino businesses. At Sky City, I moved into doing more big projects, working with government, especially with the New Zealand and South Australian governments dealing with licencing and taxation reform projects, which honed my government relationship skills.

“ I ended up running Adelaide Casino for a while, then came back to Melbourne to run a pubs group called Sand Hill Road Group. It was similar to the Merivale group in Sydney but on a smaller scale.

“From there I move to Racing Victoria, looking after all the wagering, government, and commercial stuff, essentially the areas of Racing Victoria that dealt with the non-racing and non-integrity branches.”

Aaron Morrison | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria

In May 2024, Morrison was elevated from his positions as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer to be the interim CEO, holding the position while Racing Victoria went through a recruitment process. Morrison also serves on several racing industry boards including media companies Racing.com, and RSN 927. He was appointed CEO on August 20, 2024.

“Coming from a commercial corporate background (before RV), I was skeptical about it initially as I was going from corporate to an administrator-type business, but I loved racing and enjoyed the opportunity to join RV.

“Now, I enjoy the industry, the people, the teams. I love racing, horses, and everything about it. I love how hard the participants work and how invested everyone is in what they do. I get the privilege of representing stakeholders who have skin the game who have passion for the game. My key task is to ensure that racing in Victoria is sustainable into the future and we can support our stakeholder’s livelihoods going forward.”

“Now, I enjoy the industry, the people, the teams. I love racing, horses, and everything about it. I love how hard the participants work and how invested everyone is in what they do.” - Aaron Morrison

The Melbourne Cup protocols

With the spring carnival upon us and the Cups horses heading in quarantine, there has already been plenty of chat about the veterinary protocols for international runners which were introduced in 2021.

Melbourne Cup trophy | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

“They are working,” said Morrison. “It’s a bit tiring sometimes that we continue to get such negative feedback from some protagonists overseas. The protocols are working as evidenced by three years without incident. There was a terrible patch for a while that threatened our viability, not just the Cup but everyone.

“The changes and the high standards (we implemented) are working. We make no apology for them. They are based on sound evidence and sound data, and RV went through a solid consultation with people in the industry (to create them). We had to do something. They are working and we have no intent to change them.

“The changes and the high standards (we implemented for Melbourne Cup protocols) are working. We make no apology for them. They are based on sound evidence and sound data, and RV went through a solid consultation with people in the industry (to create them).” - Aaron Morrison

“It’s heartening to see other jurisdictions are adopting them too and they are becoming an international standard now. Perhaps (our next challenge) is about how we manage those relationships on the ground, and that’s something we need to continue to review. There will be no backing away from the protocols themselves.”

Read TTR’s recent article on the Cup protocols here

The size and scope of Victorian racing

One of the challenges for each of Australia’s state-based Principle Racing Authorities is the breadth of the racing industry in each state from group racing to city racing, through to the country and bush circuits.

“Racing is absolutely one of the biggest industries in the state, as it turns out, and I’m very familiar with this having worked with the Victorian government on funding and other government support.

“We are one of the biggest employers in the state, with almost 26,000 full time equivalent employees at last count, and $3.5 billion of annual economic impact with more than half of that being regional areas. A lot of what we do and generate (as racing) contributes to regional economies and communities. Racing is important from a community and social perspective.”

“We (Racing Victoria) are one of the biggest employers in the state, with almost 26,000 full time equivalent employees at last count, and $3.5 billion of annual economic impact with more than half of that being regional areas.” - Aaron Morrison

Morrison's number come from the Victoria Thoroughbred Racing economic report where there are over 95,000 employee, volunteers and participants in Thoroughbred racing. According to the Victorian Government, racing in Victoria across all three codes generates $4.7 billion in economic value and over 121,000 people are involved as employees, volunteers, or participants in the equivalent of 35,000 full time jobs.

“Racing Victoria celebrates bringing the spring carnival to regional areas, with Country Cups such as Gunbower, near Echuca. An event like that is run by local volunteers and farmers, local primary school kids, and the club raises money for the school to. The local pub, everyone, gets involved.

“The population of Gunbower is about 550 people, and will get a crowd of 3000 for their Cup day which is incredible. It is such an important part of the social fabric of that region.

Scenes at Gunbower Country Cup raceday | Image courtesy of Country Racing Victoria

“There are 26 country cup events through the spring carnival overall, generating a great amount of social activity across the state. Racing Victoria manage 64 race tracks in any season, and over 4000 races.”

According to Racing Australia’s 2023 Fact Book, there are 69 race clubs in Victoria who race on 64 tracks. They held 525 meetings with 4242 races in 2022/23. Over 9000 horses had over 41,000 starts on Victorian tracks last season and competed for over $306 million in prizemoney across the state (approximately 30 per cent of Australia’s total prizemoney). Victoria had 609 trainers and 191 jockeys in 2022/23.

“Clubs, like Gunbower, are ready to go for their annual meeting. Gunbower hasn’t raced for four years due to different factors. They put such preparation into it and sometimes it can come down to how the weather is, and hope they get their moment in the sun. Unfortunately these types of meeting are not easily rescheduled, so we want to see the hard work rewarded. It takes months to get the track prepared to RV’s standard, as well as organising through to the event itself.”

PRAs, Racing Australia, and inter-state cooperation

There has been much discussion about cooperation between Victoria and NSW at the ARC, with discussions around The Everest and the All-Star Mile both potentially being awarded Group 1 status.

Pride Of Jenni races away in the 2024 All-Star Mile | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

“I would observe that there is some commentary out there that suggests NSW is about to get five or six new Group 1s and Victoria will get one. The media likes to promote that deals are being done, but my point is to clarify that that’s not accurate. Any reports of such numbers, or details, are premature.

“There is a process which is respectable of the Pattern process, noting that the Australian Pattern committee hasn’t been observed for over six years.

“There are no bilateral deals between NSW and Victoria. Instead, we are trying to reactivate Racing Australia more broadly. It is important that we have an active Racing Australia who can make decisions, improve things operationally, and make sure the single national system is robust.

“There are no bilateral deals between NSW and Victoria. Instead, we are trying to reactivate Racing Australia more broadly. It is important that we have an active Racing Australia who can make decisions, improve things operationally, and make sure the single national system is robust.” - Aaron Morrison

“There are operating risks with Racing Australia’s system, as well as poor user experiences that need to get sorted. There are three main roles for Racing Australia; technical platforms, the Rules of Racing administration, and hopefully using Racing Australia to come to together to represent racing nationally.

“Now that we’ve broken the deadlock and thawed the ice, we are starting to make some progress there. One of the good things (to come from this new relationship with NSW) is advocating collectively for racing to be treated appropriately in a differential manner around the gambling review. We want governments to recognise us as a social force and economic providers. We need to make sure that blanket bans (on gaming advertising) don’t decimate racing.”

Read The gaming ad ban inquiry’s report into gaming advertising

This inquiry is being asked to “consider whether Australia’s current restrictions on gambling advertising are meeting community expectations and are adequately protecting children, young people and Australians who are experiencing gambling harm.”

Further the report states the concerns that “the ‘gamblification’ of sport creates an association between the enjoyment of sport and gambling, as if gambling and sport are both healthy and harmless activities that are reliant on skill. It makes gambling seem like a normal activity that increases a person’s enjoyment of sport, and as if gambling is part of an Australian culture that values sport and mateship.”

The majority of the report is focused on non-racing sports, gambling companies sponsorships, and the exposure of children to gambling during non-racing sports events.

“This has been a positive outcome of the new relationship (between Victoria and NSW). Next we can look to advocate governments to help with skilled worker visas and help (our stake holders) with staff shortages, as well as quarantine issues for horses. We need a national consistent voice to present to governments.

“These discussions are a means to those greater ends. We are trying to get movement within Racing Australia to restore the governance decision making process and get on with things.

“The pattern guidelines need to be dealt with as part of that. Those races (the Everest and All-Star Mile) are sitting with the Asian Pattern Committee for consideration and we need to be respectful of them and their process, and their official acknowledgement going forward matters.

“We’ve asked them to look at the Everest and the All Star Mile specifically as an outcome, but will stress that these decisions are made through Racing Australia and all PRAs have agreed and endorsed this (proposal to the Asian Pattern Committee). We need to respect the governance process.”

The preservation of racing’s assets

With much discussion and media attention on the potential sales of Rosehill and Sandown racecourses recently, TTR AusNZ asked Morrison what his opinion was on the issue.

“I can’t comment on Rosehill. I’m aware of the politics around it, but I don’t have time to engage with that as its not in my jurisdiction.

“Sandown is a parallel to Rosehill perhaps. The situation is that it’s an asset owned by Melbourne Racing Club who going through a tumultuous time. The position is there is a state government planning process to review the options for that site, then the state government will declare the possibilities. It is up to the club to decide what they want to do with that asset.

“The situation (potential sale of Sandown) is that it’s an asset owned by Melbourne Racing Club who going through a tumultuous time. The position is there is a state government planning process to review the options for that site, then the state government will declare the possibilities. It is up to the club to decide what they want to do with that asset.” - Aaron Morrison

“Racing Victoria acknowledge it’s a matter for the club and its members. There are clearly very passionate racing people involved who will have racing’s interests at heart, first and foremost. They (MRC) acknowledge that whatever decision is made has to be made with racing in mind first. Racing needs to have a position and an acceptable outcome as part of the final decision.

“Personally, Sandown is a fantastic racetrack, however from a consumer experience it leaves a lot to be desired, and is not really up to standard, so there’s a challenge there. But our participants love racing there. It’s a conundrum.”

A true racing fan from an early age

Morrison’s passion for horse and racing came through in this interview. “My earliest, most exciting moment was in grade three or four. I was at a family friend’s BBQ (on Cup Day) with my parents. We did a Melbourne Cup sweep and I got Kiwi in the sweep.

“I remember watching the race on the tiny TV set and sooking it up the first half of the race as he was dead last, and the Pumper took him from last to first and won. One of my most exciting memories. I gained about four bucks, I think, but mostly I remember thinking that this is fantastic, I loved it.

“I remember watching (Kiwi) the race (Melbourne Cup) on the tiny TV set... and the Pumper (Jim Cassidy) took him from last to first and won. One of my most exciting memories. I gained about four bucks, I think, but mostly I remember thinking that this is fantastic, I loved it.” - Aaron Morrison

“Like every Aussie male, I enjoy a punt. I often go to the pub with the boys, and enjoy it. Luckily I can have a punt. Some people in this game can’t to keep integrity strong and that matters. Outside those people, I encourage the team to get involved and enjoy themselves like everyone else. Several people in the team (at Racing Victoria) own shares in horses too, and as long as there is no conflict of interest, that’s a good thing too.

“As a business we are reliant on wagering almost exclusively, even through media rights, it’s all coming from wagering, so understanding that business and engaging in it in an active way, and understanding how gaming companies do promotions and their strategy as customers matters too. I think it is to be encouraged in an appropriate manner. Naturally those involved in maintaining integrity and the Rules of Racing have to miss out.”

Aaron Morrison

Racing Victoria