Latest news with #AustralianTurfClub
Sydney Morning Herald
11-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Race club takes property giant to court over $70 million land deal
The race club at the centre of the failed Rosehill sell-off for housing is embroiled in a legal dispute with Mirvac over a $70 million deal to build apartments on land next to Canterbury Park Racecourse. Just weeks after its members voted down the $5 billion proposed sale of the western Sydney track, it has emerged that the Australian Turf Club has raced to the NSW Supreme Court to prevent another development plan from falling over. The club, which also owns Randwick, Rosehill and Warwick Farm racecourses, has launched proceedings against Mirvac after the property giant sought to tear up a 2017 partnership to develop a block adjacent to Canterbury Park. Mirvac also wants repayment of an $8 million access fee from the cash-strapped ATC, which stands to net as much as $70 million from the full sale of the grassy site. After years of local political resistance and opposition from community groups, the 1.28 hectare parcel was rezoned for high-density residential use six weeks ago as part of the Minns government's push to address the state's housing shortage. It paves the way for the project of about 200 units to proceed, eight years after it was conceived. But a pre-existing stipulation requiring the land to be available as an overflow car park for night racing meetings remains in place, presenting a major hurdle for new dwellings going up. That long-standing condition imposed by Canterbury-Bankstown City Council was a trigger for Mirvac to pull out and demand its money back, said sources unable to speak publicly. The race club's case against the $8 billion company, which is scheduled to be heard in Sydney next Friday, is that its grounds for termination are invalid.
The Age
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Race club takes property giant to court over $70 million land deal
The race club at the centre of the failed Rosehill sell-off for housing is embroiled in a legal dispute with Mirvac over a $70 million deal to build apartments on land next to Canterbury Park Racecourse. Just weeks after its members voted down the $5 billion proposed sale of the western Sydney track, it has emerged that the Australian Turf Club has raced to the NSW Supreme Court to prevent another development plan from falling over. The club, which also owns Randwick, Rosehill and Warwick Farm racecourses, has launched proceedings against Mirvac after the property giant sought to tear up a 2017 partnership to develop a block adjacent to Canterbury Park. Mirvac also wants repayment of an $8 million access fee from the cash-strapped ATC, which stands to net as much as $70 million from the full sale of the grassy site. After years of local political resistance and opposition from community groups, the 1.28 hectare parcel was rezoned for high-density residential use six weeks ago as part of the Minns government's push to address the state's housing shortage. It paves the way for the project of about 200 units to proceed, eight years after it was conceived. But a pre-existing stipulation requiring the land to be available as an overflow car park for night racing meetings remains in place, presenting a major hurdle for new dwellings going up. That long-standing condition imposed by Canterbury-Bankstown City Council was a trigger for Mirvac to pull out and demand its money back, said sources unable to speak publicly. The race club's case against the $8 billion company, which is scheduled to be heard in Sydney next Friday, is that its grounds for termination are invalid.
Herald Sun
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Herald Sun
Racing Confidential: The leading contenders to replace Peter McGauran as ATC chairman
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Australian Turf Club board will vote on a new chairman and vice-chair at the end of the month in the wake of Wednesday's surprise resignation of incumbent Peter McGauran. McGauran announced his decision this week to vacate his post as chairman and director on the board prior to the expiration of his term in January, 2026. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The decision comes in the wake of the ATC's failed bid to sell Rosehill Gardens racecourse, of which McGauran was a staunch advocate, following a members vote in May. McGauran labelled the decision 'a lost opportunity for the club' after 56.1 per cent of members said 'no' to the sale. It led to a petition from the Save Rosehill group calling on McGauran to resign – a fate which has now become a reality. Six directors will remain on the board including current vice-chair Tim Hale as well as Ben Bayot, Caroline Searcy, Natalie Hewson, David McGrath and Annette English. All directors will have the opportunity to contest for the chairman seat at their next board meeting, slated for July 28, with McGauran also set to get a vote before departing his post. Hale and McGrath are understood to be the leading candidates vying for the chairman role. It will be up to the NSW Government and Racing Minister David Harris to determine if another director joins the board and who that may be after McGauran departs. Tim Hale (left) and David McGrath (right) are believed to lead the race to replace departing ATC chairman Peter McGauran. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ FORD IN DOUBT AFTER FALL Group 1 jockey Jay Ford escaped serious injury after falling at Canterbury Park on Wednesday but remains a 50-50 chance of riding at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Ford knocked his head when he came off Investment at the midweek meeting and had to be taken to hospital for further assessment. He released late on Wednesday night but had to forgo his rides at Gosford on Wednesday as he continued to deal with a headache. Ford has been booked for six rides on Saturday. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ KATSU WEIGHT CHALLENGE Victorian raider Katsu would equal a modern day weight carrying record in Sydney if he was to lug the monster impost of 64kg to victory at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The Lindsay Park galloper was given the topweight of 66kg as a 90-rater in The Agency Real Estate Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m). The 2kg claim of star apprentice Braith Nock gets him in with a slightly more manageable weight. But history is against Katsu as no horse this century has carried 64kg to victory in a Sydney Saturday race. Katsu will attempt to win with 64kg, which no horse has done in a Sydney Saturday race since 1997. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images It was way back on October 26, 1997 that Anthems defied the heavyweight task to score in a 3YOs and Up Two Handicap (1500m) with Rod Quinn aboard at Rosehill Gardens. The John Hawkes-trained gelding was a two-time Group 1 winner as a juvenile. The last horse to carry 64kg in Sydney was My Truth at Warwick Farm on June 12, 2023. He finished last. On a Saturday, Mahagoni lumped the same weight to creditable sixth in the $500,000 Four Pillars at Rosehill Gardens on October 29, 2022. Zoushack carried 64.5kg to salute at the midweeks at Warwick Farm on October 19 of the same year. Katsu is a $4.60 chance to prevail this weekend. Originally published as Racing Confidential: The leading contenders to replace Peter McGauran as ATC chairman
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Racing Confidential: The leading contenders to replace Peter McGauran as ATC chairman
The Australian Turf Club board will vote on a new chairman and vice-chair at the end of the month in the wake of Wednesday's surprise resignation of incumbent Peter McGauran. McGauran announced his decision this week to vacate his post as chairman and director on the board prior to the expiration of his term in January, 2026. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The decision comes in the wake of the ATC's failed bid to sell Rosehill Gardens racecourse, of which McGauran was a staunch advocate, following a members vote in May. McGauran labelled the decision 'a lost opportunity for the club' after 56.1 per cent of members said 'no' to the sale. It led to a petition from the Save Rosehill group calling on McGauran to resign – a fate which has now become a reality. Six directors will remain on the board including current vice-chair Tim Hale as well as Ben Bayot, Caroline Searcy, Natalie Hewson, David McGrath and Annette English. All directors will have the opportunity to contest for the chairman seat at their next board meeting, slated for July 28, with McGauran also set to get a vote before departing his post. Hale and McGrath are understood to be the leading candidates vying for the chairman role. It will be up to the NSW Government and Racing Minister David Harris to determine if another director joins the board and who that may be after McGauran departs. â– â– â– â– â– FORD IN DOUBT AFTER FALL Group 1 jockey Jay Ford escaped serious injury after falling at Canterbury Park on Wednesday but remains a 50-50 chance of riding at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Ford knocked his head when he came off Investment at the midweek meeting and had to be taken to hospital for further assessment. He released late on Wednesday night but had to forgo his rides at Gosford on Wednesday as he continued to deal with a headache. Ford has been booked for six rides on Saturday. â– â– â– â– â– KATSU WEIGHT CHALLENGE Victorian raider Katsu would equal a modern day weight carrying record in Sydney if he was to lug the monster impost of 64kg to victory at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The Lindsay Park galloper was given the topweight of 66kg as a 90-rater in The Agency Real Estate Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m). The 2kg claim of star apprentice Braith Nock gets him in with a slightly more manageable weight. But history is against Katsu as no horse this century has carried 64kg to victory in a Sydney Saturday race. It was way back on October 26, 1997 that Anthems defied the heavyweight task to score in a 3YOs and Up Two Handicap (1500m) with Rod Quinn aboard at Rosehill Gardens. The John Hawkes-trained gelding was a two-time Group 1 winner as a juvenile. The last horse to carry 64kg in Sydney was My Truth at Warwick Farm on June 12, 2023. He finished last. On a Saturday, Mahagoni lumped the same weight to creditable sixth in the $500,000 Four Pillars at Rosehill Gardens on October 29, 2022. Zoushack carried 64.5kg to salute at the midweeks at Warwick Farm on October 19 of the same year. Katsu is a $4.60 chance to prevail this weekend.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Top Sydney racing figure resigns after Rosehill housing failure
The architect of the failed plan to sell off Rosehill Racecourse for a mini-city of 25,000 homes has resigned early as chairman of the Australian Turf Club, declaring in a parting shot that the abandoned $5 billion deal was a 'lost opportunity'. Peter McGauran was appointed to the ATC board in 2022 and has resigned before his term expires in January 2026, but said he would be judged as being on the right side of history for pursuing the controversial proposal. McGauran, a Howard-era Nationals minister who has had various roles in the racing industry, led the pro-Rosehill sale faction on the ATC board despite staunch opposition. His resignation comes just over a month after members voted 56.1 per cent to 43.9 per cent to scrap the plan. In a statement on Wednesday evening, McGauran said his decision was made while 'aware of the challenges for the ATC ahead', and his belief that a new chairman was needed to guide 'new initiatives' for the club. 'I remain convinced the potential sale of Rosehill Gardens was a lost opportunity for the club and the wider racing industry,' he said. Loading 'It was a fully transparent and vigorous debate, and I am grateful to the 44 per cent of ATC members who voted in favour of the proposal. I believe history will judge the decision to pursue the vision as having been the right one.' The plan, which would have cost the state government $5 billion, was meant to be a major part of Premier Chris Minns' solution to Sydney's housing woes. Minns said on Wednesday he would have 'loved' McGauran to stay on as chairman, and celebrated the man as a 'gentleman' in the face of the tough public debate.
