Leading the race: Geelong Racing Club wins 2024 CRV Club of the Year

THE Geelong Racing Club (GRC) has taken out the industry’s top Victorian regional racing award, being named the bet365 Country Racing Club of the Year Award.

Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre last night (Saturday, August 24), the Country Racing Victoria Awards invited over 600 industry and club participants from regions across the state.

“The Geelong Racing Club is extremely proud to be the recipient of the 2023-2024 bet365 Country Racing Club of the Year,” GRC chief executive officer Luke Rayner said.

“The club has done a power of work over the previous 12 months in the areas of racing, training, stakeholders, facilities, community, fundraising, sponsorship and financial performance.

“This award is great recognition of the staff of the GRC who come in each day driven and excited to be a part of a great team who collectively deliver outstanding results.”

GRC was announced as the award winner ahead of finalists Benalla Racing Club, Echuca Racing Club, Seymour Racing Club and the Swan Hill Jockey Club.

From the win, GRC will also receive a $20,000 grant from Country Racing Victoria to put towards the club’s infrastructure.

To be eligible, clubs must have turned over $1 million during the past year.

“The board, led by president Peter Murrihy, have been amazing in their support through governance, strategic direction and providing a framework to take the club forward year on year,” Mr Rayner said.

“To all our sponsors, thank you so much for continued support, in particular to bet365 who have been a wonderful major sponsor over many years and without your support through this time awards like this are not possible, so thank you for your amazing contribution to our club.

“We thank the community of Geelong for their continued support of our club and major events and we, as a club, look forward to continued engagement, growth and prosperity for all to enjoy over the coming years.”

It is the first time GRC has won the award since it was created in 2000.

Adding to the night’s success for the club, former GRC committee member and life member Bill McFarlane received the Country Racing Victoria’s Tony Shanahan Award for services to country racing.

Mr McFarlane served on the GRC committee for 41 years between 1979-2019, and organised every Geelong Cup trophy during his tenure alongside his wife Nancy.

He became a GRC Life Member in 1993 and served as Vice Chairman of the old Port Philip Racing Association.