Jones Exit a Big Win for Victorian Owners

Breednet - Sunday April 28

Victorian Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners (TROA) Chairman, Jonathan Munz , claimed a big win for Racing with the forced departure of embattled Racing Victoria CEO , Andrew Jones .

There had been widespread dissatisfaction and lack of confidence from industry participants and race clubs in Jones and the Racing Victoria (RVL) board , resulting in a campaign led by Munz for the termination of Jones and a major refresh of the board.

It's all about getting the best outcome for Victorian owners!

Munz strongly criticised Jones and the board for their insufficient racing experience and knowledge and lack of commercial expertise. A series of gaffes and own goals in relation to programming and prize money and the widely held view that Jones and RV were arrogant and failing to consult with industry participants and race clubs led to the inevitable departure of Jones and the acceleration of board changes, with three new RVL directors to be appointed in the next few weeks. 

Munz said : “It is ridiculous that this has taken so long to achieve . Jones and his team were completely out of their depth and apart from fundamental management errors , were seen as pushing a misconceived radical strategy parading as “innovation” .

"They were trying to change things that did not need changing , while ignoring and getting the basics wrong . This alarmed industry investors and participants and caused controversy .

Advertisement

"Unfortunately, the board enabled Jones for way too long and did not listen to pleas for change from investors, race clubs and participants. Indeed , it has been observed that in many ways the RVL board members were more culpable than Jones.  They should have heeded advice from the industry to sack him almost a year ago.

"It is also an insult to our intelligence for RVL to be thanking Jones and praising him for his past work on his departure, when he clearly did a terrible job and was pressured to leave. That poor judgement  is a clear indicator of why major board changes are necessary.

"Unfortunately , the delay in refreshing the board for almost 12 months created a power vacuum which has been bad for the industry.However, pressure makes diamonds and hopefully the new board and CEO will end the dysfunction, bring the industry together and return us to competence and normality.”

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
Bergerson Honoured at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night.
Tenth 2YO Winner Spirit of Boom
Lindsay Park Racing produced the tenth 2YO winner of the season for Spirit of Boom at Pakenham on Monday when the well backed favourite Idleonby saluted at her second start.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Vale, Joe Yorke
The racing industry has lost one of its more colourful characters with the passing of Joe Yorke on Sunday.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
New kids on the block add fresh blood to Vibrant Victorian breeding scene
With 11 new stallions standing in Victoria this coming breeding season, including the winners of three Group 1 races on their ‘home’ soil, the short and long-term future looks increasingly bright for the state’s vibrant industry.