Champion trainer Chris Waller has praised Peter V’landys as he prepares to leave his role as chief executive of Racing NSW after 22 years at the helm. V’landys, who on Thursday announced his departure from the industry, was recently appointed executive chairman of the National Rugby League (NRL) with unanimous support from clubs and state leagues.

Waller, renowned for training the champion racehorse Winx, highlighted V’landys’ profound impact on the racing industry, particularly in New South Wales. He recalled the challenges the sector faced when V’landys took charge and noted how quickly the administrator delivered on his promises. “Racing in Sydney was struggling in a big way when Peter took the job,” Waller said, adding that the positive changes implemented under V’landys’ leadership went far beyond initial expectations.

V’landys expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of boards and staff during his tenure, crediting the team with transforming Racing NSW from a struggling jurisdiction into a world-leading one. Since taking over, the organisation secured $3.5 billion in new funding, with returns to owners and participants increasing from $110 million in 2004 to $407 million currently. V’landys also oversaw the introduction of advanced equine welfare programs.

Racing NSW chair Saranne Cooke described V’landys as "the most effective and successful racing administrator" in Australian history. She noted that his influence extended beyond financial growth, fundamentally changing the trajectory of the racing industry and elevating New South Wales to a leading global position.

A landmark achievement during V’landys’ stewardship was the 2012 High Court victory, which secured the right for the racing industry to receive payments from corporate bookmakers. Former Racing Australia chief executive Peter McGauran, who observed many of the battles V’landys faced, said the ruling “changed everything,” particularly as online wagering expanded rapidly, generating approximately $2 billion in revenue for the industry.

V’landys was also instrumental in creating new racing events designed to boost the profile and commercial success of the sport. In 2014, he established The Championships at Royal Randwick, which became regarded as the “grand finals of Australian racing.” He continued this trend with the launch of the Country Championships and Provincial Championships, offering significant prizemoney for regional competitors.

He further transformed the Australian racing calendar with the introduction of The Everest in 2017, the world’s richest turf race. This event regularly attracts crowds exceeding 50,000, predominantly younger racegoers, at Royal Randwick. V’landys also introduced The Kosciuszko race for country-trained horses during Everest Day and the Golden Eagle in 2019, the richest race globally for four-year-olds.

Andrew Vouris, chief executive of Ladbrokes, commended V’landys for his innovative approach, saying he “does not follow the playbook – he rewrites it.” As V’landys transitions to his new role with the NRL, his two decades shaping Australian racing leave a lasting legacy.