News

Monday, June 17, 2013Contact: John Henderson
+06 327-7159
Leading Thoroughbred racing administrator to lead R.A.C.E. Group

Experienced international racing administrator, Alasdair Robertson, has been appointed Chief Executive of the RACE Group, the umbrella grouping of the Manawatu, Marton, Feilding, Rangitikei, Otaki and Wellington Racing Clubs.

Alasdair Robertson will commence his role on 12 August 2013.

RACE Board Chairman John Henderson said Alasdair was an exceptional appointment.

“We are delighted to be able to appoint someone of Alasdair’s experience and calibre.”

“Alasdair has a strong background in thoroughbred racing and marketing. He has spent the last three years as Chief Executive of the Melbourne Racing Club, one of Australia’s leading thoroughbred Racing Clubs. This Club is the home of the BMW Caulfield Cup among other notable Group races of international standing and comprises three racecourse and event venues, being Caulfield, Sandown and Mornington.”

“During his time at the Melbourne Racing Club, Alasdair focused on building its brand profile, so that the Club became recognised as an Australian leader in innovation, customer service, racing quality and support for owners and trainers. He managed the merger between the Melbourne Racing Club and Mornington Racing Club and also managed and gained planning approvals for Melbourne Racing Club’s Caulfield Village property development. This development has created net income flows to the Melbourne Racing Club, with net revenue to the Club expected to be in excess of $100 million over the next 10 years.”

Between 2004 and 2010 Alasdair Robertson was Chief Executive of the Western Australian Turf Club (Perth Racing), the leading thoroughbred Racing Club in Western Australia, conducting 92 race meetings per annum at their two metropolitan venues of Ascot and Belmont Park.

He has also been involved in the pip fruit industry as Chief Executive of Worldwide Fruit (1999 – 2004), a joint venture between three significant global fruit businesses (Enza New Zealand, Northcourt Farmers Cooperative UK and Geest PLC UK).

Prior to this, Alasdair served as General Manager of Enza International and for a period was Marketing Manager of the New Zealand Lotteries Commission.

Alasdair’s lifelong interest in racing commenced when he was Head Lad for Jeff Lynds’ thoroughbred racing stable in Palmerston North and a Stud Groom at Colonial Park Stud, Manawatu.

He has joint New Zealand and United Kingdom nationality and has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (Business and Marketing) from Victoria University in Wellington.
For additional information, please visit www.raceinc.co.nz

E-Mail : john@ehw.co.nz