Partridge new Brisbane Racing Club boss

The Brisbane Racing Club has appointed former Australian Turf Club executive Tony Partridge as its new chief executive.

He will replace David Whimpey who completed five years in the job last week.

Partridge will take up his position with the BRC from August 5.

He was selected from applicants from across Australia and overseas to lead Queensland’s largest racing club.

Partridge is a return by the club to a chief executive with a racing background after Whimpey whose experience was more in the business world.

Partridge has background in racing and sport and wider commercial experience.

He was the chief operating officer and acting chief executive of the Australian Turf Club until 2017.

In almost four years across those roles, Partridge led commercial and operations for Sydney’s only race club.

More recently Partridge has worked for Deloitte providing commercial advisory services to sports and entertainment clients in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

A lawyer by profession, Partridge joined the ATC after a long period at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.

As general counsel and commercial director, he helped to grow the ANZ Stadium business after the Olympics to the stage where it regularly conducted over 50 events each year.

He has also worked with the four codes of football, cricket and concert promoters on major events and with broadcasters, wagering providers, suppliers and major sponsors in the racing industry.

Partridge said he was excited to be joining the Brisbane Racing Club at a time when the future was so bright.

“The club has a solid strategic plan in place to build upon. I look forward to working with the BRC team and all stakeholders on elevating Queensland’s premium racing events, improving member and customer experiences, attracting new customers and growing the business,” he said.

BRC chairman Neville Bell said Partridge’s appointment was another positive step during a busy time for the club.

“Tony will join the BRC at an exciting time. The Master Plan continues to advance, creating the most dynamic racing precinct in the country,” Bell said.