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The Moonee Valley Racing Club held its annual general meeting on Saturday November 28 where it was announced that after Bob Scarborough had stood down after 15 years on the committee including the last eight as chairman.

Vice chairman Don Casboult was announced as the new chairman.

Scarborough’s tenure on the Committee included a stint as Vice Chairman from 2005–2007 before taking on the role of Chairman in November 2007.

He has overseen many major implementations at Moonee Valley and has driven many of the initiatives including the revamp of Friday Night Racing in 2008, with the transfer of quality black type races from the Saturday programs and securing significant prizemoney increases from Racing Victoria to lift night racing prizemoney from $4M to $10M.

Further achievements under his tenure included the introduction of the two day Cox Plate Carnival, which saw the G1 Manikato Stakes elevated in prizemoney from $500,000 to $750,000 and then to $1M and run on the Friday night before the Cox Plate; the internationalisation of the Cox Plate through invitations to leading middle distance gallopers which delivered the first international winner in Adelaide in 2014;. and overseeing the Master Plan, whereby the Moonee Valley racecourse will be entirely redeveloped after the 100th running of the Cox Plate in 2020.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chairman of the Moonee Valley Racing Club during a period that has seen substantial change,” said Scarborough. “I believe that the changes will result in financial security for the club and create a more exciting and enjoyable club for members.

“I leave the club in a sound position and in good hands”.

Don Casboult has been on the MVRC Committee since July 2005 and has been the Vice Chairman since November 2007.

Don’s business experience as a Director of the Casboult Group and formerly Suncorp Group Insurance speaks volumes for this business acumen and extensive involvement with sports marketing and racing sponsorship as well as breeding and racing horses in Australia and New Zealand.

“I congratulate Bob on building a cornerstone for the success of the Club during his tenure as Chairman and look forward to continuing to build on his success,” said Casboult.

“We have some major projects and innovations, including the Master Plan, in the pipeline and with a high calibre team and committed Committee at The Valley currently in place, it is going to be an exciting time moving forward for the Moonee Valley Racing Club.”

Brian Kruger has been appointed as the new Vice Chairman on the MVRC Committee, which is a fitting appointment after nine years as a Committee member.

Kruger is the Managing Director of Toll Holdings and has raced a number of horses in recent years, including Adelaide Cup winner Demerger and Sangster Stakes winner Bel Mer.