Tim Hale and Annette English have won seats on the Australian Turf Club board in an overwhelming victory for members opposed to the sale of Rosehill.
Hale, the club’s incumbent vice-chair, has been re-elected for a second term while English will replace Angela Belle McSweeney.
A lawyer highly respected in property development, company and commercial legal expertise, Hale received 787 votes to top the ballot.
Elected to the board in 2020, Hale came into public prominence during an appearance before a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the sale of Rosehill this year.
He questioned a headline $5 billion valuation of the racetrack if it is sold to developers.
Hale told the inquiry that he agreed with a separate valuation of $1.6 billion presented to the ATC board, putting him at odds with evidence given by ATC chairman Peter McGauran.
During his evidence, Hale said he believed that most ATC members would vote against the Rosehill proposal.
In a follow-up submission, he confirmed there was still “significant work to be done” before final details of the deal could be presented to members.
Warwick Barr
Scone-based English, who also has a legal background, polled 726 votes.
She was one of two candidates endorsed by a Save Rosehill lobby group, led by former ATC board member Julia Ritchie.
David Walter, also part of the Save Rosehill ticket, received 659 votes to be third in the ballot counting with former high-profile ATC employee Lindsay Murphy fourth with 515 votes.
Hale and English will start their terms in February amid the most turbulent time in the club’s almost 14-year history.
Membership unrest over the proposed sale of Rosehill has gathered momentum since a shock industry announcement to redevelop the racetrack land for housing was made almost 12 months ago.
The election of Hale and English will throw further doubt on a Rosehill sale despite ATC and Racing NSW due diligence continuing on the project.
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Based on what it says is a need for further due diligence, the ATC pushed back an extraordinary general meeting on Rosehill’s future until April 3.
Members were initially told they could vote on a sale of Rosehill in 2024.
Controversy surrounding the Rosehill issue has also transcended the racing industry with the NSW parliamentary Select Committee hearing established to scrutinise the process involved in the ATC’s unsolicited proposal to the NSW government.
The inquiry has also dealt with broader issues, including the conduct of Racing NSW and has raised questions about how the state’s industry is funded.
Bren O’Brien
In 2023/24, the ATC posted a $2.4 million operating loss on an overall profit of $512,000 and it admits revenue has been compromised because of a downturn in wagering.
The ATC has 12,000 members and almost 3800 voted.
Under the club’s constitution, directors are voted in for four-year terms with McSweeney set to step down after serving a mandatory maximum two terms.
The board comprises seven directors, four elected by ATC members and three who are designated as state government appointments.
“We welcome Annette English as a new director and as someone with a great passion for racing along with excellent business and legal experience,’’ McGauran said.
“We also congratulate Tim Hale on his re-election, who with fellow current directors collectively provide a diverse range of skills and a strong commitment to the ATC."
