Board

The Independent Board of HRNSW took office in February 2012, as per the "Harness Racing Act, 2009."


HRNSW Board – Peter Nugent, Yvonne Sampson, Adam Fairley, Ken Brown, Doug Freeman, Peter Buckman.

 Chairman


 

BROWN, Ken AM

Current member of the HRNSW Board, Mr Brown has intimate knowledge of the racing industry having been involved in all three codes through his various capacities but most particularly as the Director General NSW Department of Gaming and Racing from 1995 to 2006. More recently Mr Brown served as a Board Member of Racing NSW and as a member of the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority. Mr Brown is the Deputy Chairman of Harness Racing Australia.

Mr Brown was re-appointed in February 2024 for a term of four years.


Directors

 

NUGENT, Peter

Current member of the HRNSW Board, Mr Nugent has been involved in harness racing as an owner, breeder and committee member since 1975. Former Board Member of Bathurst, Dubbo, Forbes and Gilgandra Harness Racing Clubs.

Mr Nugent was re-appointed in February 2019 for a term of four years.

 

FAIRLEY, Adam

Mr Fairley has a passion for sport and racing. He is the General Manager – Junior League at the Parramatta Eels and was the former General Manager of the Blacktown & Districts Soccer Football Association and Blacktown Spartans Football Club.

He has been involved in Harness Racing for over 25 years as an administrator, breeder and owner. During this time Mr Fairley held various harness racing administration roles including Handicapper, Racing Manager, Club General Manager, Project Manager, Industry Development Manager and a Committee Member of Harness Breeders NSW.

In 2020 he received a Harness Racing Australia Distinguished National Service Award.

Mr Fairley was appointed in February 2022 for a term of four years.



 

FREEMAN, Doug

Mr Freeman is a Chartered Accountant by background who has held a range of senior executive roles in large corporates such as Tabcorp, George Weston Foods, Optus, Alexander & Alexander and Deloitte and is a graduate of the Institute of Company Directors.

He has extensive commercial, financial, media, strategic, project and management experience including 17 years in the gambling, racing and media industries at Tabcorp. From those roles Mr Freeman has gained a detailed understanding of the three codes of racing in each state of Australia and internationally.

Mr Freeman has had a passion for racing all his life having attended harness meetings almost every week throughout his youth.

Mr Freeman’s appointment is from February 2023.

 

 

SAMPSON, Yvonne

Ms. Sampson is a highly regarded sports broadcaster who has earned a distinguished reputation in the sports media industry through a career spanning more than 20 years.

Ms. Sampson is also an accomplished horsewoman with a deep-rooted passion for the equine world. Her intimate understanding of the horse racing industry and her familiarity with the sporting landscape plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of harness racing in NSW and fostering positive developments for the sport.

Ms. Sampson was appointed in July 2023 to fill a casual vacancy on the HRNSW Board until November 2026.


Election of Chairman

The position of Chairperson will be vacated and declared open in February each year or at the completion of any 12 month term as Chairperson. The incumbent Chairperson may stand for re-election.

How Directors are appointed

The HRNSW Board is selected by the Racing Minister in accordance with the Harness Racing Act 2009 which states:

  1. HRNSW is to consist of 5 members appointed as follows:
    1. 5 members recommended for appointment by the Selection Panel under section 7 and appointed by the Minister to give effect to the recommendation of the Selection Panel, unless the appointment is to fill a casual vacancy under paragraph (b),
    2. the appointment of a member to fill a casual vacancy (a vacancy in the office of a member occurring other than by reason of the completion of the member’s term of office) is to be made by the Minister on the nomination of HRNSW.
  2. A person is not eligible to be a member of HRNSW if the person:
    1. is an employee of a harness racing club, or
    2. is a member of the governing body of a harness racing club or eligible industry body, or
    3. is registered by or with HRNSW under this Act, or
    4. is registered or licensed by or with GRNSW under the Greyhound Racing Act 2009, or
    5. holds a licence issued by Racing New South Wales, or
    6. is currently, or during the previous 10 years has been, warned off, disqualified or named on the Unpaid Forfeit List under the rules, or
    7. during the previous 10 years has been convicted in New South Wales of an offence that is punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or more, or convicted elsewhere than in New South Wales of an offence that, if committed in New South Wales, would be an offence so punishable, or
    8. is an undischarged bankrupt or is taking advantage of the laws in force for the time being relating to bankruptcy, or
    9. is a mentally incapacitated person.
  3. A person is not eligible to be appointed as a member of HRNSW if the person is a member of the Selection Panel at the time the Selection Panel makes its recommendation for the appointment concerned.
  4. A person is not eligible to hold office as a member of HRNSW for more than 10 years in total (whether or not involving consecutive terms of office).
  5. While a person is a member of HRNSW, any entitlement of the person to vote as a member of a harness racing club or of an eligible industry body is suspended.
  6. Schedule 1 contains provisions relating to members of HRNSW.     

To view the Harness Racing NSW Board Code of Conduct click here 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SMITH, Rodney Graham

More than 21 years of experience in the corporate finance sector and business ownership in the motor retail sector. Breeding, racing and administrative involvement in the harness racing industry, with roles including former Treasurer of Bathurst Harness Racing Club and Vice President of the NSW Owners Association. Rodney Smith joined the board in 2012.

Mr Smith was re-appointed in February 2016 for term of four years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SMITH, Rodney Graham

More than 21 years of experience in the corporate finance sector and business ownership in the motor retail sector. Breeding, racing and administrative involvement in the harness racing industry, with roles including former Treasurer of Bathurst Harness Racing Club and Vice President of the NSW Owners Association. Rodney Smith joined the board in 2012.

Mr Smith was re-appointed in February 2016 for term of four years.