Dr Eliot Forbes appointed new Racing Queensland CEO

Published Friday, 08 July, 2016 at 10:34 AM

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Grace Grace

Racing Minister Grace Grace has welcomed the appointment of internationally renowned racing executive and qualified vet Dr Eliot Forbes as the new CEO of Racing Queensland.

Ms Grace said Dr Forbes had a proven track record of racing industry leadership, both in Australia and abroad.

She said Dr Forbes was appointed via an independent merit-based selection process.

“Dr Forbes is exceptionally qualified for this role and he brings a superb set of skills and experience to Racing Queensland,” she said.

“Born and bred in Queensland, he returns to the Sunshine State after a highly successful international career in racing spanning several decades.

“He has held senior racing positions in the United Arab Emirates and practiced equine veterinary surgery in Australia, Macau, Qatar and the UK.

“In his current role as the CEO of Tasracing, Dr Forbes has overseen the transformation of the racing industry in Tasmania, with record wagering growth, a landmark $9.8m financial turnaround for the company in 2012-13 and the successful international expansion of thoroughbred night racing.

“He previously led the project team on the successful Devonport racecourse redevelopment and as a qualified vet, he understands the importance of animal welfare to racing.

“He has exactly what it takes to lead the Queensland racing industry into a new era.”

Ms Grace said the Queensland racing industry had a very bright outlook, thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s racing reforms.

“Since the greyhound live baiting scandal of 2015, Queensland has led the way nationally in its response to animal welfare and integrity issues in racing,” she said.

“We’ve created a new standalone Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, which is being emulated in many respects by our Victorian counterparts.

“We’ve also worked closely with stakeholders to build a more financially resilient racing industry, while providing important support for country racing.

“I want to thank all racing industry participants for their patience as we’ve finalised the new Racing Queensland Board and CEO.

“I’m very optimistic about the future of racing in Queensland and the outstanding lineup of talent we now have in place to lead this great industry.”

Dr Forbes said he was excited by the opportunity to make a contribution to racing in Queensland.

“Queensland is my home state and after many years working in racing around the world, it feels great to be coming home.

“I look forward to meeting industry stakeholders from the three codes of racing and working with them to drive the Queensland industry towards an ambitious and prosperous future,” Dr Forbes said.

Racing Queensland Chairman Mr Steve Wilson said Dr Forbes had a proven track record of racing industry leadership, both in Australia and aboard. Dr Forbes was appointed via an independent merit-based selection process.

“Dr Forbes has been selected from a quality array of candidates, which in itself highlights the sense of momentum building in the racing industry in Queensland,” Mr Wilson said.

“Our new board, who have reviewed the candidates, are most impressed by Dr Forbes’ depth of experience across all codes in multiple jurisdictions.”

Dr Eliot Forbes Bio

Currently the CEO of Tasracing Pty Ltd, Dr Eliot Forbes was formerly the long-running Chief Veterinary Officer for the world’s richest race, the $10m Dubai World Cup. He was part of the project team that built and opened Dubai’s iconic Meydan racecourse in 2010 and led the event team that delivered the 31st Asian Racing Conference in 2007.

In an administrative and clinical capacity, he has worked in the racing industry for his entire career, which spans Australia, the United Kingdom, Macau, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Dr Forbes holds a Masters of Business Administration from La Trobe University, an honours degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has further studies with the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts.

He is an advisor to the board of Racing Australia, a Director of Greyhounds Australasia and a member of the CEO committee of Harness Racing Australia (HRA).

He maintains a passionate interest in animal welfare and is a member of the national Veterinary and Analysts Committees for each code of racing, is chair of Racing Australia’s Retirement of Racehorses Committee and a member of the Standardbred Welfare Advisory Group for HRA. He is a regular speaker on wagering, innovation and welfare matters at conferences throughout Australia and internationally.

Media Contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 549