Perth Racing, which manages two tracks - Ascot and Belmont Park Racecourse - is a Club that never sleeps. As Western Australia's only metropolitan Club, Perth Racing hosts 92 race meetings per season, as well as a wide range of corporate and private events.
2023-24 Annual ReportAscot Racecourse is more than just a racetrack; it's also a training facility. More than 500 horses are put through their preliminary paces on the Ascot Racecourse gallops during a typical week.
The venue has played an important role in the development of several champions, including two-time WS Cox Plate winner Northerly – the Fighting Tiger – of whom there is a commemorative statue next to the venue’s Flametree Lawn. Belmont Park Racecourse is located across the way from Optus Stadium and has a longstanding reputation as one of the world’s best wet weather tracks.
Perth Racing’s head office, Lee-Steere House, is located opposite Ascot Racecourse. The Grandstand Road premises honour the contribution of the Lee-Steere family. Sir Ernest Augustus Lee-Steere was Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1919 to 1940 and Sir Ernest Lee-Steere was Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club from 1963 to 1984. For seven years, Sir Ernest Lee-Steere combined being Chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club with holding the equally prestigious office of the Lord Mayor of Perth.
MAIN PARTNERSHIP
PREMIUM PARTNERS, OFFICIAL PARTNERS AND SUPPLIERS
Elected in 2015 and now into his third (and final) 3-year term on the Board, Colin brings immense industry experience and passion through his many years of involvement from stable-hand to strapper, to owner, breeder and now co-owner of Mogumber Park Thoroughbred Stud, which he runs with his Equine Veterinarian wife, Dr Fiona Lacey. Colin also operates a consultancy business focusing on governance, management and strategy improvement for sport and recreational organisations.
Appointed in 2022, Carol Adams OAM brings to Perth Racing an extensive and distinguished background in the local government sector as well as strong legal, governance and strategic planning experience. A past board member of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and several professional and not for profit and voluntary associations, Carol will place a strong community and stakeholder engagement lens over the board’s strategic direction and decision making.
Elected in 2015, Paula is in her third 3-year term on the Board, and in June 2018 was appointed the WATC’s first female Vice-Chair in its 189-year history. Paula is a lifelong racing enthusiast and passionate long-term racehorse owner. Paula works as in-house legal counsel for a state government department, providing legal advice and services for a wide range of legal and operational areas. Paula brings vast legal and corporate knowledge and experience to the Board, along with her strong voice as a woman in racing.
Appointed in 2018 and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee, Guy has more than 30 years’ financial and operational experience across a diverse range of sectors, operating and residing in most continents. A financially trained professional, specialising in bridging the gap between operations and finances, linking strategy to business practices, Guy is currently the CEO of Endeavour Energy. Customer focused, with a strong emphasis on team building and diversity, Guy brings a wealth of knowledge to to the Board, sharing wider global perspectives.
Appointed in 2018 and Chair of the Asset Development Committee. As former CEO of Seven West Media WA, Chris was responsible for all Seven West Media assets in WA, including The West Australian, The Sunday Times and Channel Seven Perth. In 2016 he was awarded an Order of Australia medal (AM) in the Queens’ Birthday honours. Chris is on the Board of the East Perth Football Club and is Chairman of Stealth Global Industries and Thriver Finance and is a passionate follower of thoroughbred racing.
Elected in 2021 and Chair of the Commercial Operations Committee, Peter became a WATC member in 1975, and has passionately supported racing ever since. He has owned and bred successful racehorses for over 25 years. A Psychologist with a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counselling, Peter is Executive Chair of his own National company. Peter has also previously served as a City of Stirling Councillor and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Appointed in 2022 and Chair of the People & Culture Committee, Jo Davies has over 30 years’ experience of working and volunteering in the sport and recreation industry at local, state, national and international levels. She is currently General Manager, Community Cricket at the WA Cricket Association and a member of the National Community Cricket Leadership Team. She is a Director of East Perth Football Club and was formerly Chair of East Perth District Development Council.
Re-elected in 2023, Evan brings over 30 years’ experience in the Sport and Recreation Industry in Western Australia and overseas, including the Western Australian Institute of Sport, the Department of Sport and Recreation, as the Deputy CEO and Acting CEO of Basketball WA and now as the General Manager of Government Relations and Legacy at RugbyWA.
Evan served on the Baseball WA Board for 6 years, (3 as Chair), Baseball Australia for 5 years, and as President at the Carine Cats Ball Club. He has been a member at Perth Racing for more than 10 years.
Elected in 2022, Brent is a senior public relations consultant who is well-connected in Perth’s business and public sector community. He is a Director of GT Communications and serves as a City of Perth Councillor. He has experience chairing the Policy & Legislation Committee, the Audit & Risk Committee, in addition to representing Perth on Tamala Park Regional Council and the Development Assessment Panel. He has previously worked at NBN, the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Chamber of Minerals & Energy.
A former amateur steeplechase jockey in Great Britain, James has a deep and personal appreciation of what it means to be a front-line participant in the sport of thoroughbred racing.
His career has been entirely built around the sport of horse racing, having worked in racecourse management for The Jockey Club, after which followed seven years at the principal racing authority in Great Britain (The British Horseracing Authority). He was then involved in the creation of British Champions Series (BCS) and British Champions Day (BCD), becoming Operations Director for BCS & BCD responsible for the delivery of Britain’s most valuable raceday, held at Ascot, for nine years.
During the last few years of that, he was also appointed Managing Director of Great British Racing International, the industry organisation responsible for the promotion of British horse racing internationally as well as generating inward investment into GB racing and bloodstock.
He has also been Managing Director of ANZ Bloodstock News, part of the Spotlight Sports Group.
James has a track record of negotiating high-profile sponsorship, broadcast and media contracts as well as leading integrated marketing and digital campaigns, coupled with wide ranging experience in working with commercial, sporting and government organisations. An accomplished relationship builder, he is well practised at operating in complex stakeholder environments and has extensive experience in delivering strategic projects.
He is very fortunate to have experienced high class horse racing around the globe, including in Britain, Ireland, France, Sweden, Italy, Dubai, Qatar, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
He is passionate about the thoroughbred itself; believing that these animals are the cornerstone of a multi-billion-dollar global industry and their welfare, and the promotion of their unique abilities, are a fundamental necessity if the sport is to flourish.
Away from horse racing and work, James is dedicated to his family (a father of two young daughters) and has a love for all sport. He’s an occasional triathlete/runner, a passionate snowboarder and (when time allows) an avid reader.
As the longest serving member of Perth Racing’s Executive Management team, Tony first worked as a casual in the Ascot Racecourse car park in 1990 and worked across most departments, including Food & Beverage supervisor of Tentland at only 18, while completing a Bachelor of Business with a Double Major in Hospitality and Marketing at Edith Cowan University. Tony became a full-time employee in 2001 and joined the Club’s executive group in 2005.
As the current COO and Club Licensee, Tony oversees the operations of The Club and his role is crucial to facilitating the development of the Club in the best interests of all major stakeholders, as well as liaising with Stakeholders such as the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor and Police prior to all major events. Tony has a Company Directors Course Diploma and has been appointed Perth Racing’s Acting Chief Executive Officer on three occasions during his tenure.
Jason is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience across both Australia and the United Kingdom. His strong commercial acumen and hands on approach has enabled him to successfully partner with senior leadership teams across various businesses as a trusted adviser, delivering tangible positive commercial outcomes. Jason is a long-term passionate racing enthusiast, having owned numerous racehorses over the past 20 years.
An accomplished People, Culture & Safety Executive with 20 years’ experience leading organisational transformation, establishing management frameworks and cultural optimisation. Renay has a broad understanding across a variety of sectors having worked in leadership roles within carbon, conservation, maritime defence and IT&T. Previous to joining Perth Racing in 2022, Renay was the Director People Culture & Safety at Greening Australia Ltd.
Paula brings to Perth Racing extensive experience in marketing and communications, media relations and stakeholder engagement. Paula’s diverse career history spans media and fashion, sport and lifestyle, government and executive education; she has worked for herself, for corporates and for not-for-profits on regional, national and international levels. With a proven track record in growing strong teams through people empowerment, Paula’s specialism is in creative brand development for commercial return.
Originally from the UK, Paula is still enjoying exploring WA with her family – she spends as much time as possible road-tripping, on the river or at the beach, watching sport and enjoying outdoor live music events.