ATC offer incentives for members to return “yes” verdicts on proposed sale of Rosehill
The embattled Australian Turf Club (ATC) has taken the extraordinary step of offering members inducements of free membership and $1,000 per year worth of drink and food credits if a “yes” vote is returned in the poll on the controversial proposal to sell Rosehill.
The members’ vote has already twice been delayed. While originally due to be completed on April 3, Racing NSW directed the ATC to postpone the vote, which is now due to be held on May 27. Officials said the delay was orchestrated to allow them to assemble more information to provide members about the plan. Critics say it was sparked by a majority of “no” votes in early online voting.
Now, the club has provided members with its promised information pack, which dangles the carrot of a range of member rewards if a yes vote is received.
Dubbing the move a “Member Loyalty Program”, the ATC says should the proposal be approved, members who were financial as of April 30, 2025 would receive five years of free ATC membership.
ATC members, who number around 12,000, would also receive $1,000 per year, for five years, in beverage and food credits at ATC venues.
And those with 20 or more years of cumulative membership would receive free lifetime membership, the ATC said.
Should a no vote be returned, none of those member benefits would be offered.
The bid to woo the yes vote was described by ATC chairman Peter McGauran as a move to boost racetrack attendances. Though open only to members who were financial as of last week, he also said it was designed to increase membership.
“This proposal is supported by a member benefit package aimed at revitalising flagging raceday attendances while growing new membership over time,” McGauran said in a statement issued by the club.
“The program recognises and rewards our most loyal and long-term Members by sharing some of the proceeds.’’
The ATC’s member information pack also detailed track development proposals under the plan to sell Rosehill, which the club has said would bring it $5 billion.
The centrepiece of the idea to scrap Rosehill, in Sydney’s west, would be to build a new heart of racing significantly further west, with an $802 million redevelopment of Warwick Farm.
This, the ATC said, would include building a Group 1 standard track, 600 on-course stables and “enhanced community access”.
Warwick Farm trainers will be briefed on the plans on Wednesday morning. ANZ Bloodstock News understands the upgrade would require trainers based at the track to move out to Wollongong’s Kembla Grange, Hawkesbury or Gosford during the renovation. Such a move would unlikely be popular with trainers at the busy Warwick Farm, who would likely be forced to move out for at least two years while renovations took place.
The plan also makes provision for a $557 million upgrade of Randwick, including “premium Member areas, a weatherproof spectator entrance and a new Lifestyle Club overlooking the home straight”.
A further $10 million would be spent at Canterbury, “for essential infrastructure and member amenity upgrades”.
In the 18 months since the proposed sale of Rosehill was first announced – before members were consulted – its proponents have also mooted the construction of a new racetrack in the Sydney area.
Tuesday’s released details discuss the “acquisition and development of a new premier training facility” in the greater Sydney area, with future Group 1 racing “potential”.
A Racing Advisory Board would also be created, comprising “an independent panel of ATC Members, industry participants and experts to recommend allocation of sale proceeds”.
An “independently governed” Racing Future Fund, managed by investment advisors, would also be established “to provide stable long-term revenue, insulated from wagering or government volatility”.