VRC chairman Michael Burn has resigned

The Victorian racing industry has lost its second chairman in the space of two days with the resignation of the Victoria Racing Club’s Michael Burn.

His resignation comes after Racing Victoria chairman David Moodie stepped down on Thursday following an RV board meeting at which a report from Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna was tabled.

Although cleared of being the source of a leak from RV over cobalt positives, Moodie, then a board member, disclosed the information he had learned to trainer Peter Moody in January last year.

The VRC announced on Saturday Burn was stepping down after 13 years as a director of the club of which the last 5-1/2 were as chairman.

Burn is an executive director of the Macquarie Group which, with a group of other companies, has made a play for Tatt’s Group, a rival to Victorian racing’s joint venture partner Tabcorp.

“”Given my lengthy tenure in the role, I have been contemplating for some months when would be the right time to step down,” Burn said

“I’m also mindful that recent events could lead to perceptions of tension between my role at the club and my professional responsibilities as a banker.”

Burn’s announced his resignation a day after the VRC’s annual general meeting on Friday.

Amanda Elliott, who has been vice-chairman since 2011, becomes acting chairman.

She said Burn had been an outstanding chairman, overseeing many key initiatives including the largest investment in spectator facilities in the club’s history, forging stronger ties with the State Government and attracting support for infrastructure development consistent with implementation of the Club Masterplan.