After months of tension, Racing NSW has officially pulled the trigger and moved to replace the Australian Turf Club (ATC) chairman Tim Hale and board directors with an administrator.
Racing NSW explained its reasoning in an official statement on Monday, saying the decision followed an extensive Show Cause process and multiple formal meetings between the Boards of Racing NSW and the ATC.
“These steps were undertaken to ensure the ATC was afforded every reasonable, and indeed ample, opportunity to address the serious concerns raised,” the statement read.
“Throughout the Show Cause process, the ATC Board was repeatedly invited to provide detailed submissions, present its proposed strategy to improve the Club's financial performance, its future solvency and respond comprehensively to concerns regarding corporate governance.
“Specifically, the ATC Board was unable to demonstrate it could develop and implement a strategy to improve the commercial performance of the club or rectify the serious financial issues. Further, the corporate governance concerns had not been appropriately addressed.”
The appointment of an administrator comes less than seven months after the failed $5 billion attempt to sell-off one of Australian racing’s most prized real estate assets, Rosehill racecourse in Parramatta, when only 43.9 per cent of ATC members voted in favour.
While Racing NSW has assured members there will be no impact on the conduct of race meetings or events at ATC venues, there are genuine fears within the racing industry that if an administrator is appointed it could allow the voting rights of members to be bypassed, potentially enabling the sale of Rosehill to proceed amongst other strategic reforms.
The ATC has flagged its intention to seek an emergency injunction against the Racing NSW move in the Supreme Court.
Appointment Of An Administrator To The Australian Turf Club - https://t.co/PxRN1yKCj9 pic.twitter.com/736sLv2Oly
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) December 14, 2025