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Racing Victoria will begin the search for a new Chairman after Brian Kruger announced his retirement from the Board.
Chairman Brian Kruger has announced he will step down from his roles on the Racing Victoria Board on June 30.
A former committee member of the Moonee Valley Racing Club, Kruger was appointed Chairman of RV's reconstituted Board in 2017 and has led the industry through a period of growth and challenges during his time.
During his time, prize money has increased by an average of $20 million per annum while Kruger has also seen initiatives like the All-Star Mile, Champions Day and Good Friday Racing, in addition to overseeing investment in racing and training infrastructure and the purchase of land at Oaklands Junction that will provide a range of opportunities for the future of racing in Victoria.
Kruger also led RV through the COVID pandemic where racing continued maintaining the 25,000 Victorians employed in the industry with their livelihoods while also providing much-needed entertainment for the broader community.
"It has been my privilege to work with the highly engaged and capable Board and employees of Racing Victoria," Kruger said.
"I am extremely proud of the way we have navigated the many challenges we have been faced with, particularly through the COVID pandemic, and our many achievements over the last six years.
"I am grateful to the Victorian Government for its ongoing support of the industry and, in particular, its commitment to preserving Victoria's position as one of the world's great racing jurisdictions.
"While I am pleased to have played a role in delivering record prizemoney growth, financial security and a new funding framework which assures the sustainability of racing into the future, I am most proud of our work in horse and participant welfare during my tenure.
"Our world leading equine welfare programs have transformed the way people think about thoroughbreds and our retraining and rehoming initiatives have provided opportunities for thousands of horses when they retire from the racing industry.
"The last few months have shown we can never lose sight of the importance of the safety of our stars of the sport, and I know our team will continue to focus on making our sport as safe as it can possibly be."
The Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety will now commence a public process to appoint a replacement Director while RV Deputy Chairman, Mike Hurst, will step up into the role of Chairman from July 1 until a permanent appointment is made.
