Racing execs up for grabs as Tigers hunt for Gale replacement

Loading

“We’re going to take some time with this,” O’Rourke told The Age’s Caroline Wilson. “There’s no panic because the foundation Brendon has created is so good. The executive team in place and the 30 people we have in management roles who no one sees make me very confident about our future.”

Recruitment firm Transearch International is running the Richmond process, alongside a board subcommittee.

The club’s chief marketing officer and long-time Gale lieutenant Simon Matthews – whose brother Dave has run the Giants since their inception – looms as an internal candidate.

The MRC is undergoing a complete overhaul of its Caulfield precinct, with the state government granting approval last week for the proposed demolition of the glass-fronted Rupert Clarke grandstand.

The club is also exploring the possibility of selling its 112 hectare Sandown site for housing development.

Loading

In a statement released on Tuesday, the MRC said Blanksby was instrumental in securing the MRC’s 65-year lease at Caulfield Racecourse, navigated the turbulent COVID-19 crisis and was widely seen as a pioneer in the racing media rights industry.

Blanksby said it was the right time to “pass the baton on”.

“My 10 years at the Melbourne Racing Club have been fantastic; being part of the transformation of the club as we have embarked on the Caulfield masterplan delivering $160 million in infrastructure for the Victorian racing industry, expanding the club’s gaming portfolio to ensure profits can be redirected to racing and innovating the racing offering for our members and customers,” Blanksby said.

“Our balance sheet and underlying business performance are strong and the current property rezoning processes will result in the club having further strength and optionality.”

MRC chairman Matthew Cain said Blanksby had helped the club achieve significant milestones, including negotiating “the most significant partnership in the club’s history with Sportsbet, and heralded innovation within the racing media rights landscape”.

The MRC also recently appointed Sam Bennetts as its new racecourse manager, following the departure of Tim Bailey.

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.