New Chair And Deputy For Racing Australia

Frances Nelson QC has been elected the new chair of Racing Australia following the retirement of John Messara.

Currently heading Thoroughbred Racing South Australia, Nelson has long been involved within the racing industry and has been a director of Racing Australia for 6 and a half years, as well as deputy chair since 2015. She is the first woman, as well as the first South Australian, to be elected to the position on the board.

“I feel very privileged to contribute in this way in an industry I have been involved in for a lifetime.” Nelson said.

Messara resigned from the board of the administrator late last year, having served for five years. The chairman and owner of the powerful Arrowfield Stud is credited in establishing The Championships, the valuable meeting which concludes today.

He was succeeded as chairman of Racing New South Wales by Russell Balding, an experienced operator from the business and financial industries. Balding has been elected deputy chair of Racing Australia.