The reported make up of the new independent board that will run NSW racing has drawn mixed reactions from within the racing industry.

While the NSW Government is yet to confirm the appointments, the names of the five people selected to make up the restructured board has circulated freely in racing circles in the last 24 hours.

The fear that the breeding sector could dominate the new board is set to be confirmed with the names of John Messara, Philip Esplin and Tim Hughes among the five nominations.

Messara, principal of Arrowfield Stud and chairman of Aushorse and Thoroughbrd Breeders Australia, is favoured to be appointed chairman of the new board.

Joseph Crepaldi, reported to be an influential business associate of Messara, is also among the nominated five. Creplaidi was previously a director of racing broadcaster TVN and has played a consultancy role in establishing international totalisator operations.

Kim Harding, a successful owner and breeder, completes the list as the first woman appointed to the Racing NSW board. She is the founder of a successful national marketing company.

Esplin, a lawyer with extensive breeding interests, is the only member of the previous nine-member Racing NSW board to be nominated for the new regulatory body.

Hughes, a big spending racing investor in recent years, heads the Photon Group.

The five were selected by a group of nine that represented all facets of the racing industry and will create dismay among those hoping the industry’s working ranks along with the provincial and country racing sectors would have a strong voice on the new board.

The selected members will undergo probity checks before their appointments are confirmed by the NSW Government.
(Source: Racing & Sports)