Racing NSW Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM, has this morning announced the retirement of Racing NSW Chairman of Stewards, Mr Ray Murrihy, with Friday, 3 June 2016 to be his last day as Racing NSW Chairman of Stewards.

Mr V’landys said:

“Ray Murrihy has made an outstanding contribution to thoroughbred racing throughout Australia. Ray has been a racing administrator of the highest calibre. He is the Black Caviar of Stewards and has done an exceptional job, to say the least.

In a career as a Steward spanning 46 years, Ray has acted in a senior capacity in five Australian States across thoroughbred and harness racing and has been the Chairman of Stewards in four of those States. He has been the Chairman of Stewards in New South Wales since 1 August 1995 and has chaired the Racing Australia National Chairman of Stewards Advisory Group for most of that time.

Ray’s contribution to thoroughbred racing has been immeasurable. Remarkably, Mr Terry Bailey (RVL Chairman of Stewards), Mr Allan Reardon (Racing Queensland Chairman of Stewards), Mr Kim Kelly (Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman of Stewards), Mr Steve Railton (Hong Kong Jockey Club Deputy Chairman of Stewards) and Mr Jamie Stier (Director of Raceday Operations and Regulation – British Horseracing Authority), to name but a few, have all worked under his tutelage at some stage.”

Appointment of Marc Van Gestel as incoming Chairman of Stewards
Racing NSW also announced the appointment of Mr Marc Van Gestel as Chairman of Stewards, effective 3 June 2016. Mr Van Gestel has been Racing NSW’s Deputy Chairman of Stewards-Operations since 2006 having originally commenced his career as a trainee Steward in 1989.

Mr V’landys said:

“I also take this opportunity to congratulate Marc on his appointment as Chairman of Stewards. Marc has already proved himself as an excellent Steward, having first commenced as a trainee Steward some 26 years ago in 1989 and having excelled as a Deputy Chairman to Ray since 2006. I have every faith in Marc’s ability to step up to the Chairman of Stewards role. Marc is an impressive professional and a fearless individual with immense experience.”