Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones steps down

Racing Victoria is in for a major shakeup after chief executive Andrew Jones announced on Friday that he was stepping down from his role as Racing Victoria boss. Jones had been under siege for months from both Racing Victoria shareholders and other horse racing organisers in Australia.  
 
With Jones gone, former AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan is expected to take a leading role in Racing Victoria and even handpick the next CEO.  

Jones resigns from Racing Victoria CEO post 

The Andrew Jones era at Racing Victoria is over. The former CEO confirmed his departure on Friday via an internal email to all Racing Victoria staff.  
 
In the email, Jones told Racing Victoria employees that it was the “right time to move on.” If you ask his critics, Jones was right. It was time for him to go. 
 
Jones was Racing Victoria CEO for just under two years. The final months of his tenure were marred in controversy.  

Jones Controversial stint as RV CEO over 

Leading up to his resignation, Jones had become enemy number one for a number of people in Victoria and in the Australian horse racing industry as a whole.  
 
Two months ago, billionaire horse owner Jonathan Munz attempted to oust Jones from his position as Racing Victoria CEO. ““Andrew Jones needs to go. I would expect him to be gone reasonably soon. I hope so,” he said in February. 
 
Munz, Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association chairman, filed five resolutions with Racing Victoria. He, along with several other Racing Victoria shareholders, sought to have five of the seven RV board members replaced and Jones sacked. The resolutions failed, but succeeded in ratcheting up the pressure on Jones.  
 
Racing NSW chairman Peter V’landys also came after Jones during his tenure, suing Racing Victoria for anti-competitive behaviour.  

McLachlan to lead new Racing Victoria CEO search 

Former AFL CEO and incoming Racing Victoria chairman Gillon McLachlan will play a key role in picking Andrew Jones’ replacement.  
 
Some outlets have gone as far as to say that the 51-year-old will be able to “handpick” the next Racing Victoria CEO. However, it’s more likely that the next RV boss will be chosen by the current board as well as by a panel of industry experts, which includes Jonathan Munz. 
 
Until a new Racing Victoria CEO is appointed, current chief operating officer, Aaron Morrison, will lead the racing body as an interim CEO.