Cameron George, after performing admirably as one of New Zealand is racing administrators, is leaving the thoroughbred racing game to take up a role with the NRL Warriors.
George has actually held a role on the board of the Warriors for two years, but his new position will be as the Chief Operations Officer.
In remarks to the New Zealand Herald, George said, “I’ll always love racing but I also love league and a chance to join the Vodafone Warriors in a role like this was too good an opportunity to pass up.”
As a chief steward in both New Zealand and Australia, George has solid racing credentials. He has built the racing industry at Ellerslie to the extent that there are now three races with over $1 million in prizemoney, plus numerous other races with high stakes.
He has served New Zealand thoroughbred racing well during the decade he was in charge and his departure creates a void that might be difficult to fill, but whoever succeeds him will have a solid foundation.
The Karaka Million in July might serve as the capstone to George’s efforts, but he counsels that resting on laurels will not be satisfactory if racing wants to continue its upward trajectory.
Tim Gillespie will stand in as Acting Chief Executive, but whether he will receive tenure or another candidate will be selected to fill George’s role has yet to be determined.