Peter Murray, the current president of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria and founder of Australian menswear label Blazer, has joined the Victoria Racing Club board.
Murray, who has been president of TBV since August last year after taking over from predecessor James O’Brien, assumes the spot in the VRC board left vacant by the departure of David Barham earlier this year.
The VRC board now has its full complement of 11 directors, with Murray joining chairman Neil Wilson and deputy chair Michael Ramsden as well as Glenn Carmody, Sophie O’Kane, Neil Werrett, Vin Cox, Michael Saadie, Allison Purdey, Ann Peacock and chief executive officer Kylie Rogers.
Wilson said the recruitment process involved a range of candidates, with Murray’s credentials in and outside racing circles proving important.
“The recruitment process involved speaking to an impressive field of candidates. Peter is well respected across the racing industry and will be a valuable contributor to helping the club achieve its overarching strategic objectives,” he said.
“Peter not only has great business acumen but a deep knowledge of the racing industry due to his involvement in both breeding and racing horses.”
Murray said he was looking forward to the challenge.
“It truly is an honour to be appointed to the board of the VRC, the world’s largest racing club,” Murray said.
“The current board has a great depth of experience, and I am looking forward to sharing my business and racing knowledge to help contribute to the club’s exciting future across racing, equine wellbeing and commercial strategy.
“Racing has been a huge part of my life, and there is no question the VRC facilities, the quality of racing year-round and its 35,000 passionate members are the envy of world racing. I look forward to getting started and look forward to what is building as a huge Melbourne Cup Carnival.”
Among Murray’s first ownership interests were the Group 1-winning filly Porto Roca and he later had ownership success with Robert Sangster Stakes winner Juste Momente.
He expanded his interests to breeding and, in partnership with Widden Stud and Danny O’Brien, he bred subsequent Vinery Stud stallion Star Turn.
He has broodmares at Three Bridges Thoroughbreds as well as in the United States and has bred several other stakes winners, including Pure Pride and El Padrino.
Murray will further enrich breeding and bloodstock industry experience of a board that already contains Werrett, one of Australia’s most influential breeders of the past 15 years, and Cox, the former head of Magic Millions, Godolphin Australia and Yulong.
Broadcast executive Barham left the VRC board in February to concentrate on his other interests, including his role as president of Essendon Football Club. However, he also departed that role earlier this month.
