The governance of Racing NSW’s board has been questioned by a key industry lobby group, which has expressed concern that chief executive Peter V’landys will be allowed to work for a rival sporting organisation while on long-service leave.
https://t.co/AOfPqeyOCE
@davepband The evil threats to racing trainers during the Rosehill Sale lead up fiasco . Now lobs... the endless skullduggery by racing nsw is beyond belief ...
In the old days Bookies took bets then adjusted the line or price and it was play on.
No winners here and result of insane taxes and inflated prize money in horse racing.
Regulators need to do better for the industry. 😔
@SMBloodstock Yes, a very hollow quote when participants/punters are delivering all the effort & RNSW Board don't engage constructively with us.
Of course we come from a position of self interest we provide all the product, investment both financial,emotional & physical.
“Principal Racing Authorities have levers. If racing wants to keep turnover onshore, pricing must be fixed. Taxation and fees need to come down.”
An old article, but still relevant with offshore wagering a hot topic at the Asian Racing Conference.
https://t.co/Pstjlwznba
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated to the Gofundme - $170k in ten days, which has us well on the path to defending this case properly with a top legal team.
You’re all amazing - your support is deeply appreciated 🙏
Our legal team is currently prepping the defence, then the first hearing (mainly to sort admin & timelines) will be on March 27.
Here’s a link to the fundraiser: https://t.co/2bkyAocPkr
Great to see that at least one part of the media is prepared to mention the case of Vicky Leonard v’s PVL.
Australia’s racing media are proving how weak gutted they are when it comes to true journalism - They’re probably better being script writers for the Muppets!
To my fellow breeders, trainers, owners, and horse racing industry participants,
My professional life has been devoted to the thoroughbred industry, driven by a purpose to help strengthen its future. I co-founded The Thoroughbred Report (TTR) with Gary King because this industry deserves its stories told well - and its leadership examined openly. Without transparency, there is no growth, and without accountability, there is no future.
In November, TTR published what we maintain was a measured analysis discussing a simple governance question: Is a 21-year tenure as CEO still serving the best interests of our industry?
Our story is now the subject of Supreme Court legal action for personal defamation by Mr V'landys, CEO of Racing NSW.
I want to be very clear: our article was not defamatory of Mr V’landys. It was an objective discussion of tenure and governance, published squarely in the public interest while the NSW Government is actively reviewing the Thoroughbred Racing Act. We will be defending this claim vigorously.
But defending a Supreme Court action of this scale is not something one person can shoulder quietly - and it comes with significant financial cost. Which is why I need your support.
Silencing the media for asking uncomfortable questions is not acceptable. It suggests a leadership structure that has become resistant to any scrutiny or debate.
This is textbook “chilling effect”, where participants feel reluctant to speak openly for fear of consequences. The NSW Parliament itself cautioned Racing NSW only months ago about conduct that may discourage scrutiny.
It is deeply concerning that this behaviour is allowed to continue unchecked. To suppress a valid, objective discussion about CEO tenure - a cornerstone of accountability in any organisation - is a clear failure of governance.
I am speaking out because many others feel they cannot. I am standing for the trainer or jockey who fears professional consequences for expressing concern. I am standing for breeders whose integrity was publicly accused in the parliamentary inquiry. And I am standing for an industry I love - whose resources are routinely being used to fund costly litigation.
Racing NSW is currently engaged in Supreme Court proceedings against the ATC and has previously funded defamation litigation for Mr V’landys. When asked whether Racing NSW is funding this personal defamation action, Mr V’landys did not deny it.
Every dollar Racing NSW spends on legal action is taking away from trainers, owners, participants – as well as equine welfare, infrastructure and the future of our sport.
NSW industry governance has consequences beyond NSW. Through the structure of Racing Australia, it is a national concern, affecting participants across the country. Because the Racing Pattern underpins the international bloodstock market, it also has global consequences.
I am prepared to defend this action, but I need your help. Defending a Supreme Court action of this scale is designed to be prohibitively expensive - a strategy of attrition.
I have established a dedicated legal defence fund to ensure we can respond properly.
👉 https://t.co/fX3R3FgZCd
Whether your contribution is small or significant, your support helps ensure that accountability and open discussion remain part of our industry’s future.
I am going to defend this case because the principle matters. This fund has been established solely to meet the legal costs of defending this proceeding and to ensure that accountability and open discussion remain part of our industry’s future.
With gratitude and determination 🙏
Vicky Leonard
@TTARacing@hkdarren Like the decision but surely lots of clauses in the contracts...that club just needs unified support at the board/management level ....just like racing/wagering..lol
The Queensland Government's rejection of sensible PoCT relief to bring it in line with other states has been described as reckless, and it's likely to ensure wagering declines in the state continue. https://t.co/xdiAJc3rdl
A surge in offshore betting is stripping billions from government and racing, driven by pricing pressure and outdated policy.
Why racing is sleepwalking into a funding crisis 👇.
https://t.co/Pstjlwznba
Listen up. Bookmakers you are no longer bookmakers. You are cowards. You are not here to trade. You are not here to take a bet. You are here to hide behind computers and algorithms and risk departments while punters carry every ounce of risk for you. The moment anyone shows skill anyone shows intelligence you panic. You cap bets. You throttle stakes. You close accounts. You blacklist people. You erase punters like they never existed. And for what? To sit there and rake in margins without ever putting your neck on the line. You push flashy promotions for fools and punish discipline at every turn. You are not traders. You are parasites. You are not bookies. You are cowards masquerading as authority. The truth is simple. If you cannot stand up and take a real bet without running for cover then you have no business in this industry. Step aside. Let the real punters play.