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Experienced racing administrator Peter McGauran has been unanimously elected Chairman of the Australian Turf Club at a board meeting.

Mr McGauran was previously Chief Executive of Racing Australia (2012-16) and held several senior roles in the Thoroughbred racing industry at Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, Aushorse Marketing, Racing NSW and Tabcorp.

Mr McGauran served 25 years as Member for Gippsland (Vic) in the Federal Parliament and was a senior Minister in the Howard Government until his retirement in 2008.

He begins the role of Australian Turf Club’s Chairman following the expiration of Matthew McGrath’s maximum four-year term as Chairman under the ATC Constitution.

Current ATC Board Member, Tim Hale SC was also elected unopposed as Vice-Chairman following the expiry of current Vice-Chair Julia Ritchie’s four-year term.

Mr Hale was first appointed Senior Counsel to the NSW bar in 1999 and has a wide commercial and property practice.

Mr McGauran said he was honoured to be elected Chairman of NSW’s principal race club.

“The ATC plays a pivotal role in the success of Sydney’s world-class racing in collaboration with stakeholders including its Members, Racing NSW, industry participants and sponsors,” Mr McGauran said.

“I am looking forward to working with a strong and talented Board of Directors and Executive team in the interests of the ATC and the New South Wales industry.

“I thank Matt and Julia for their dedication and hard work over a lengthy period. Their successful leadership resulted in a significant rebuild of infrastructure across Sydney’s four racecourses and training centres.”

Mr McGrath said: “It has been a tremendous honour to serve as a Chairman and I thank all of my past and current fellow Board Directors over the past four years.”