Dear Member

I have just been elected to the position of Chairman of the Australian Jockey Club.

Accompanying this letter is a press release that we have made to highlight the current issues facing our Club and to assure you of your Committee's commitment to address the issues.  Click here to view this release.

Over the last couple of years a number of people have been elected to the Committee who have understood that to compete in the modern world there needed to be major changes in the way our Club went about its business.

While coming from diverse backgrounds and clearly not representing any vested interests, there is a definite understanding by members of your Committee of the urgent need to introduce a much more commercially orientated approach if your Club is to deliver you the contemporary race-day experience you deserve.

Our medium to long-term objective is very clear: to present one of the world's premier thoroughbred racing experiences for all members and stakeholders.

Clearly we have a formidable task ahead of us and would ask for your understanding and cooperation as we move to place our Club on a more secure financial footing, to improve facilities for the benefit of members and the racing industry and return our great Club to an era of prosperity.

Yours faithfully

Ross Smyth-Kirk

Chairman