The Australian and international thoroughbred racing communities are mourning the passing of Robert Burnet, a respected racing media publisher whose professional life brought together a family heritage in publishing, involvement in breeding and racing partnerships, and a longstanding connection to the international thoroughbred industry.
Through ThoroughbredNEWS, Burnet established and managed an independently owned and operated industry news platform, drawing on more than 30 years of experience working with industry partners and publishing news content from around the world.
His work took him into media rooms and racing centres across the globe, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, where he became a familiar presence within the international racing community.
A publishing heritage and an international outlook
Robert's passion for publishing, breeding and thoroughbred racing was shaped in part by his family background. His father, Alan Burnet (CBE), was a newspaper legend in New Zealand, while the family's connection with Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge, New Zealand, reflected its involvement in the breeding and racing world.
This intersection of publishing, breeding and racing formed an important part of Robert's professional journey and ultimately his passion for ThoroughbredNEWS.
Through his ownership and management of ThoroughbredNEWS (thoroughbrednews.com.au), Burnet worked with industry partners and published news content from across the international racing world.
Over more than three decades, the platform has been part of the specialist racing-media landscape, connecting readers with news and developments from an industry whose participants, events and interests extend well beyond national borders.
Burnet's association with ThoroughbredNEWS remains central to his professional legacy and his contribution to the communication of thoroughbred racing news.
It was Robert's vision for ThoroughbredNEWS that was front and centre of his professional life. Like many early online publishers' success did not come easily and nor was it immediate. However, his drive and passion for an industry that he loved and a strong belief that online publishing was the future for industry news was evident in everything that he did.
Robert was never afraid to speak his mind on issues and topics he felt strongly about and as history shows he was often proven correct. Often he became frustrated that Racing executives could not see or share in his vision for Online publishing and ThoroughbredNEWS.
In the early days Robert was instrumental in negotiating publishing and live streaming contracts with the Hong Kong Jockey Club which led to increased online exposure for Hong Kong Racing not only in Australia but to a broader global market which coincided with a rapid rise in comingling turnover.
It was the start of a successful strategy that is now adopted by other global rights holders.
A familiar face on the international racing circuit
Robert was a familiar presence in media rooms across the international thoroughbred racing circuit. His professional relationships and industry connections reflected the global nature of racing and the many people who contribute to the sport.
Robert quickly realised the significance of travelling to and supporting other racing jurisdictions such as New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Hong Kong all done through the lens of the ThoroughbredNEWS platform,
Those who knew him will also remember the personality he brought to his work and relationships. A great sense of humour and an inimitable sense of style were among his distinguishing characteristics, with his Panama hat becoming a signature part of his attire.
These personal qualities made Robert a recognisable and memorable figure among colleagues and industry acquaintances across the racing world.
"Robert was always the best dressed Racing Journalist in the Media Room. While many of us had just one suitcase, Rob would turn up at the airport with at least two large cases and many suit or sports coat bags and his roller business case. Rob had a different outfit for every occasion and when combined with impeccable taste in socks and different shoes he put the rest of us one outfit, boring Journalists to shame! To say Rob was a dapper dresser is an understatement."
-Gary Crispe Executive Director Racing and Sports and close confidante.
Remembering Robert Burnet
Robert's passing is a loss for those who knew him personally and for colleagues across the thoroughbred racing and media communities.
"Rob embraced Asian racing and saw a market. He was actively involved with the Singapore Turf Club during their years of International racing, but more so in Hong Kong where he had the ears of leading administrators and would not miss one of their international meetings, be that in December or April-May."
— Craig Brennan - Senior Journalist Formerly with the Singapore Turf Club and now Racing and Sports
The thoughts and condolences of the thoroughbred racing community are extended to Robert's family, friends, colleagues and all those who shared his journey through the world of thoroughbred racing.
Robert Burnet will be remembered for his contribution to racing media, his connections across the international thoroughbred industry and the distinctive personality he brought to the people and places that shaped his professional life.
