THOROUGHBRED Racing SA has announced that Chairman of Stewards Graham Loch is stepping down after 11 years in the position to take up a new role with the Macau Jockey Club.
Mr Loch will take up the role as Director of Racing and Acting Chairman of Stewards after finishing at TRSA in late February.
TRSA Chief Executive Jim Watters paid tribute to Mr Loch, who joined the Stewards Department in 1991 and was appointed as Chairman of Stewards in 2001.
“It is disappointing to lose the services of such a highly respected and important member of our integrity operation but we are delighted that Graham’s skills and abilities have been recognised through his appointment to the position of Director of Racing for the Macau Jockey Club,” Mr Watters said.
“South Australia has an outstanding record of its racing participants, both equine and human, achieving success interstate and overseas and Graham has continued that trend.
“However, his experience will be sorely missed not only in SA but also beyond as Graham is considered one of the elder statesmen among Australian racing stewards and is highly regarded by his peers and colleagues.”
Mr Loch said the decision to accept the position in Macau was “a difficult one”.
“It has been a privilege to lead the TRSA integrity strategy since late 2001 and I sincerely thank the respective TRSA Boards for that opportunity,” he said.
“I have always believed that Chairman of Stewards do have a use-by date and after 11 years it does seem appropriate to hand over the baton and welcome fresh eyes to the position.
“The decision to leave the South Australian industry at this time hasn’t been easy but I look forward to the challenges and the diversity provided by the new role as well as the opportunity to contribute to an overseas thoroughbred racing administration.”
Mr Watters said that Graham Loch’s background in the thoroughbred industry had contributed to the success of his career at TRSA. “Graham first worked as a steward in Rockhampton in 1972 and, at various times, he has been a deputy chairman of a racing club, breeder, trainer and even a bookmakers’ clerk.
“He has been considered as a firm but fair Chairman of Stewards, a view conveyed by many licence holders despite occasionally being on the wrong side of an outcome when found guilty of an offence under the rules.
“Graham has the admiration and respect of the Board and management of TRSA. He is highly regarded by the Board and on behalf of the Board I would like to thank him for his work in maintaining the integrity of South Australian racing and wish him every success in his new role in Macau.”
A process to select a new TRSA Chairman of Stewards will commence immediately.
THOROUGHBRED RACING SOUTH AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE
