One of Australian racing’s top officials has resigned just 24 hours before the start of the 2025 Caulfield Cup carnival.
In a statement on Friday, Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) chairman John Kanga confirmed he had stepped down from his role with immediate effect.
The move follows weeks of scrutiny surrounding twenty-four MRC memberships linked to Kanga’s family and friends which resulted in an internal MRC probe.
“In recent weeks there has been a series of public attacks directed at me personally,” Kanga said in a statement.
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“While I completely reject the nature and accuracy of those attacks, I do not want them to distract from the club, its members, or the excitement of the Caulfield Cup carnival.
“My decision to step aside is about putting the interests of the club and the broader racing industry ahead of my own.
“I wish the Committee, our members, and our staff every success in the years ahead.”
Kanga’s last official appearance came at the 2025 Caulfield Cup Carnival media day on Wednesday, with MRC deputy chair Cameron Fisher today confirmed as his successor.
One of the biggest weeks on the Australian thoroughbred calendar, the Caulfield Cup carnival begins on Saturday with three group one races including the time-honoured Caulfield Guineas for three-year-olds.
The 149th running of the $5 million Caulfield Cup follows on Saturday 18 October.