John Kanga resigns as Melbourne Racing Club chairman ahead of Caulfield Cup Carnival

Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) president John Kanga has announced his resignation, effectual immediately, conscionable days earlier the start of the prestigious Caulfield Cup Carnival.

Kanga, who made past past year arsenic the archetypal Greek Australian to pb the MRC, said the determination was made to support the Club from distraction pursuing what helium described arsenic “a bid of nationalist attacks directed astatine maine personally.”

“While I wholly cull the quality and accuracy of those attacks, I bash not want them to distract from the Club, its members, oregon the excitement of the Caulfield Cup Carnival,” Kanga said successful a MRC announcement.

“My determination to step speech is astir putting the interests of the Club and the broader racing manufacture up of my own. The MRC is bigger than immoderate 1 individual.”

Kanga, a long-time racing enthusiast and concern leader, said helium was arrogant of what had been achieved during his tenure, including securing the aboriginal of Sandown Racecourse, restoring the Caulfield mounting yard, and redeeming much than $250 cardinal by stopping an “unnecessary” grandstand redevelopment successful favour of a much practical, member-focused plan.

“We strengthened the Club’s fiscal position, reduced debt, and moved guardant with renewed commercialized confidence,” helium said.

“The Club is successful a strong presumption for the future, with outstanding enactment and a talented team crossed each levels.”

The MRC Committee has accepted Kanga’s resignation and announced that Vice Chairman Cameron Fisher will step into the relation of Chairman, ensuring “leadership continuity and stability” up of the Spring Carnival.

Acting CEO Tanya Fullarton praised Kanga’s publication and said his determination reflected his respect for the Club and its members.

“John’s determination to step speech reflects his heavy respect for the Club,” Fullarton said. “We thank him for his work and wish him each the very champion for the future.”

Kanga’s resignation marks an abrupt extremity to a historical section for the MRC. When helium was elected successful 2024, helium told Neos Kosmos that his vision was to unite tradition with innovation, and to marque racing much inclusive and financially sustainable.

The nine said it remains focused connected delivering the Caulfield Cup Carnival and continuing to service its members and the broader racing community.

Neos Kosmos has reached retired to John Kanga for comment.