Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Dear Chairman,
I am writing in response to your recent message regarding the future direction of the Australian Turf Club (ATC) and the proposed sale of Rosehill. I must express deep concerns over its heavy focus on lifestyle and entertainment facilities rather than the core racing experience that members value.
The shift in priorities raises serious questions about whether the ATC is placing commercial and property development interests ahead of its fundamental responsibility—horse racing.
One of the most significant flaws in your letter is its misalignment with the core interests of ATC members. Many of us are engaged in racing as owners, trainers, punters, or long-time enthusiasts. Our investment, both financial and emotional, is embedded in the sport itself.
We expect racing to remain the club’s central focus, however, your letter fails to highlight any substantial racing-related improvements that would justify the sale of a premier venue like Rosehill.
"We expect racing to remain the club’s central focus, however, your letter fails to highlight any substantial racing-related improvements that would justify the sale of a premier venue like Rosehill." - Dr Jack Frawley
Instead, it overwhelmingly promotes amenities such as gyms, pools, and cafes—facilities that are not the primary reasons people join the ATC.
Even more perplexing is the comparison to an elite fitness club like the Sporting Club of Sydney, which completely misses the point. ATC members are here for the racing, not for luxury leisure experiences that cater to an entirely different demographic.
The appeal of ATC membership has traditionally been the access to high-quality racing and historic race venues such as Rosehill, Randwick, and Warwick Farm, however, your letter devotes significant space to promoting facilities that bear little relevance to racing, including new wellness centres, lifestyle clubs, and function spaces. By emphasising these non-racing developments, the letter diminishes the very identity of the ATC as a racing institution.
For members who have long supported the industry, this is not only disappointing but also concerning. The notion that ATC membership could be repositioned as a luxury club is a drastic and unwelcome departure from the club’s legacy.
Additionally, the letter suggests a troubling shift toward commercialisation at the expense of racing.
Rather than outlining how the sale of Rosehill would enhance Sydney’s racing scene, the proposal reads more like a corporate investment prospectus. Key sections of the letter highlight luxury upgrades such as hotels, event spaces, and lifestyle clubs, yet there is little discussion of new racing infrastructure and track improvements.
"Rather than outlining how the sale of Rosehill would enhance Sydney’s racing scene, the proposal reads more like a corporate investment prospectus." - Dr Jack Frawley
This raises legitimate fears that the ATC is veering away from its core purpose - hosting and improving horse racing - and instead prioritising commercial property development.
The heavy emphasis on hospitality ventures suggests that corporate partnerships and business deals may be exerting an outsized influence on ATC decision-making. This could compromise the long-term interests of the racing industry and its members, as racing-related decisions may be guided more by business interests than by what is best for the sport.
Ultimately, the ATC’s responsibility is to its members and to the broader racing community. If the ATC wishes to maintain the trust and support of its members, it must ensure that racing remains at the heart of its agenda. That means prioritising investment in track improvements, prize money, racing events, and member access to high-quality racing.
You should reconsider the current approach and provide a clear, racing-focused rationale for any proposed changes. The future of Sydney racing, and my membership, depends on it.
If you have thoughts on industry issues, including the upcoming vote to sell Rosehill Racecourse that you would like to share with The Thoroughbred Report, email your Letter to the Editor to vicky@ttrausnz.com.au.
