On the eve of The TAB Everest in October 2023, the world’s richest horse race on turf, Business Sydney partnered with Racing NSW and TAB to host a major business lunch, recognising The TAB Everest as the pre-eminent racing event for Sydney.
Over 200 guests attended the lunch which was held in the function room in the WINX Stand at Royal Randwick. Russell Balding AO, Chairman, Racing NSW gave the official welcome, Adam Rytenskild, Managing Director and CEO, Tabcorp introduced the Hon David Harris MP, NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing, who addressed the audience of senior business people and racing enthusiasts. Television personality, Mel McLaughlin sat down to a Q&A with Peter V'landys AM, CEO of Racing NSW and leading horse trainer, Annabel Neasham was interviewed by Richard Callander, CEO of the NSW Trainers Association.
The guests also enjoyed a ATC scrumptious three course lunch, a thrilling phantom call of The Everest 2023 race by expert race caller, Darren Flindell, along with the Official Everest Calcutta, auctioned by Richard Callander.
David Harris is the State Member for Wyong and NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Minister for Gaming and Racing, Minister for Veterans, Minister for Medical Research, and Minister for the Central Coast in the NSW Parliament.
David was re-elected to the NSW Parliament in the seat of Wyong in March 2019 and was appointed Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Jobs Investmentand Tourism, Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty in April 2019.
David was Principal at Point Clare Public School on the NSW Central Coast from 2011-2015.
David was a Member of the NSW Parliament representing the seat of Wyong 2007 - 2011.
In that role, David served as;
- Deputy Chair of Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Committee
- Chair of Natural Resources (Climate Change) Committee
- Regional and Rural Broadband Committee
- Staysafe Committee
David was also Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Training and Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast.
As the Member for Wyong, David fought for the upgrade of Wyong Hospital including improved cancer facilities, the new Porters Creek Public School, two new ambulance stations and secured funding for the upgrade of the Pacific Highway through Wyong after a long community campaign.
Mr Peter V’landys AM is the Chief Executive and board member with Racing NSW and has held the position of Chief Executive since 2004.
Peter is also the Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission. A position he has held since October 2019 having served on the Commission since February 2018.
Peter commenced his professional career as an accountant. He also worked in the Mining and Hospitality industries before moving into racing administration in 1988, when he was appointed Chief Executive of the NSW Harness Racing Club.
At the time, Peter was the youngest person in Australia to be appointed as Chief Executive of a major metropolitan race club and under Peter’s administration, the Harness Club established a record of innovation within its industry.
Peter is also Chairman of the Fairy Godfather Foundation which assists people in Australia in necessitous circumstances and where 100 percent of all donations goes to people in need.
Peter was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the Racing Industry. He also currently serves on a number of Boards associated with the thoroughbred racing industry.
Growing up in the Northamptonshire village of Croughton in the United Kingdom, Annabel honed her horsemanship skills through eventing, show-jumping and hunting.
It was the British jumps scene that first hooked her into racing, avidly following National Hunt events such as the Cheltenham Festival.
In 2016, Annabel took up the opportunity to travel to Australia – for what was meant to be a working holiday. She never left, and now can’t imagine being anywhere else.
After six months with Gai Waterhouse, Annabel relocated to the Caulfield stable of Ciaron Maher. Learning from one of the best horsemen in the country, Annabel was able to work with quality Group 1 winners such as Jameka and Merchant Navy.
Maher soon put her in charge of the Sydney branch of the stable, which was established in 2018.
Under Annabel’s watch, the stable recorded more than 50 victories in New South Wales in its first two seasons and unveiled a string of high-quality young horses such as Dubious, Prague, Away Game, Holyfield and Cellsabeel.
The strong results paint a clear picture of Neasham’s training talents. Her two years at the helm of Ciaron Maher Racing’s Sydney stable have also familiarised her with her surroundings at Warwick Farm, where she was granted 36 boxes to begin her solo training career in the 2020-21 racing season.
Since Annabel has started training, she has achieved 7x Group Ones, 8x Group Twos, 2x Group 3’s and 9 listed races.