Harness Racing Australia CEO Andrew Kelly resigns

Chief Executive Officer of Harness Racing Australia – the peak national body for the sport – Andrew Kelly is understood to have resigned his position today.

Kelly, 52, was appointed to the role in October 2008, succeeding Rod Pollock who retired after more than 11 years in the position.

Prior to taking up the CEO position, Kelly had been chief executive of Queensland Harness Racing and was also general manager-commercial of Harness Racing Victoria.

Kelly is understood to have announced his departure today as signs of an emerging behind-the-scenes revolt by key States over the contentious Stallion Tax issue.

The Stallion Levy was established to inject more than $2m into new racing opportunities for Australian bred horses – through the establishment of the richest race in the World, the Eureka slot race.

It was stridently opposed by breeders in every State since its inception and the third edition will be run at Menangle on September 6.

Insiders say the prospect of the initial three-year term being extended to a fourth year without industry consultation, while Australian breeding numbers are in freefall, prompted an uprising at State level.

It’s understood Queensland, NSW and Victoria were all on the brink of refusing to collect the levy for the coming breeding season.

In addition to the Stallion Tax, Kelly had also overseen the implementation of the costly and hugely unpopular National Ratings handicapping system in 2019.

Harness Racing Australia is yet to make a formal statement on Kelly’s reported resignation.

From Harnesslink Media