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The Australian Turf Club today thanked and paid tribute to current and former staff of racing broadcaster TVN as it completed its final raceday coverage of Sydney racing.

Today’s Cellarbrations Ladies Day at Rosehill Gardens and the running of the $600,000 Group 1 Coolmore Classic meeting was the final day of TVN showcasing Sydney racing before a new agreement with TABCORP’s Sky Racing begins tomorrow.

TVN’s first live broadcast of a metropolitan Sydney race meeting was on Canterbury Guineas night, Saturday 26 February, 2005.

It has since televised all Sydney metropolitan meetings to hundreds of thousands of homes, pubs and clubs, along with in more recent years coverage of TAB meetings across NSW.

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce today thanked all TVN staff who had worked in front and behind the cameras for the past ten years showcasing Sydney racing on and off the track.

“Whilst today is a sad day as we farewell TVN in Sydney, it is also a day to be proud and grateful for the outstanding and professional work that so many people have done over the past decade,’’ Mr Pearce said.

“In particular, during more recent times of uncertainty about future broadcasting, and then after it was announced that TVN would cease televising Sydney racing, all of the staff have continued to work in a thoroughly professional and mature way.

“From Executive Producer Peter Wootton, to all the passionate and talented on-air presenters and their colleagues behind the scenes, we thank all at TVN for the station’s role in showing the very best of Sydney racing.

“We hope to see all of this talent continue to play a role in racing and we are working hard to see as many TVN staff fill other jobs and roles in the industry where possible.

“We’d also like to thank all of TVN’s loyal viewers for their support and interaction with the TVN coverage and the presenters over many years.’’