Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse have appointed Andrew Hore-Lacy as its next Chief Executive Officer.
Following a comprehensive international search, Hore-Lacy, who currently is the head of horse racing at the Seven Network, emerged as the preeminent candidate to lead both organisations, owing to his vast experience and profound knowledge of the thoroughbred industry.
In his role at Seven, Hore-Lacy leads a team of 15 full-time staff, responsible for the creation, development, and production of all horse racing-related content and programming. His tenure at the network has been marked by a series of innovative and successful initiatives that have significantly enriched the network's horse racing portfolio.
Aushorse Chairman Antony Thompson said Hore-Lacy’s previous experience and passion for the industry made him the ideal candidate for the role.
“Andrew has an authentic commitment for the entire racing industry and a deep understanding of the breeding sector's pivotal importance, alongside the many challenges faced by breeders. His robust background in communications, media and stakeholder engagement equips him with a diverse array of skills. We are excited to welcome him as the new CEO of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse,” Thompson said.
“I am confident that Andrew will leverage his expertise, leadership acumen, and strategic foresight to not only advance the interests of TBA and Aushorse on both domestic and international stages but also to reinforce Australia's vibrant and robust breeding industry, which is revered globally.”
TBA President Basil Nolan said the selection panel had been impressed with Hore-Lacy’s energy and commitment to building on the programs and initiatives run by TBA and Aushorse.
“Andrew demonstrated a clear understanding of the work undertaken by the team, particularly in areas of education and training, as well as marketing initiatives such as the Investor’s Guide. He conveyed a compelling vision for enhancing these established foundations, and I am confident he will introduce innovative perspectives that will enable TBA and Aushorse to continue to thrive,” Nolan said.
Before his appointment as Seven’s Head of Horse Racing, Hore-Lacy distinguished himself as a Senior Producer across a spectrum of sports, including AFL, horse racing, tennis, and the Olympic Games, further underscoring his versatile and comprehensive expertise in the sports and media industries.
Hore-Lacy thanked the TBA and Aushorse boards for the opportunity.
"I am honoured to take on the role of CEO and lead these organisations into the future,” Hore-Lacy said.
“Working for Seven for 15 years has been an incredibly rewarding experience, filled with personal growth, meaningful challenges, and the opportunity to collaborate with an incredible high performing team.
"I believe that the thoroughbred industry is a vital part of Australia’s cultural and economic fabric. My goal is to foster growth and innovation, ensuring that we continue to thrive both domestically and internationally.
“I look forward to getting started and building upon the strong foundation laid by Tom Reilly and driving these organisations forward to new heights.”
Hore-Lacy will succeed Tom Reilly, who was appointed CEO of the Melbourne Racing Club in January.
Both Thompson and Nolan gave thanks to Reilly for his work leading the organisations for a decade.
“It’s important to state how grateful I am to Tom for his work. Under his leadership the TBA started a host of education and training initiatives that have worked wonderfully,” said Nolan.
Thompson added: “Tom has really driven the breeding industry forward in many areas. From an Aushorse perspective, he has really given the Australian industry huge recognition on the international scene and we’ve seen significant international investment as a result. I am sure he will do a great job at the MRC and everyone wishes him all the best in the future.”
Hore-Lacy will commence his role with TBA and Aushorse in June.
