New Racing Queensland Board announced
The Crisafulli Government has announced the appointment of six new members to the Racing Queensland Board.
The new members bring a wealth of racing industry experience and business acumen to the table including law, financial services, public relations and more.
RQ’s new Chair is Matthew McGrath, who led the 2025 Queensland Racing Review, will now head up the delivery of sweeping reforms outlined in The Next Lap: A plan for the future of Queensland Racing.
Mr McGrath also has extensive board experience as the former Chairman of the Australian Turf Club and a director of the Cronulla Sharks.
Joining Mr McGrath on the Board will be Kym Daly, who was also a member of the Racing Review Panel and has significant experience in Thoroughbred racing, delivering integrity services, training and consulting internationally.
Townsville-based legal professional and racehorse shareholder Michelle Morton has been appointed as the director to champion regional and country racing, and will be joined by Gary Cunningham, the Honourable Jane Prentice and Sally Branson.
Existing Board members Graham Quirk, Jodie Jones and Gary Heath will continue as the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing industry members.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the members possessed the appropriate balance of experience to guide the industry.
“I am thrilled with the make-up of the Racing Queensland Board, and I am confident they will deliver reforms that will signal a new era for the industry,” Minister Mander said.
“It was imperative we have a Board that continues to represent the three codes of racing, while adding directors that will champion both integrity and regional and country racing.
“Racing’s impact on the state is now close to $2.5 billion per year and is responsible for around 14,500 full-time jobs for Queenslanders, so it is vital its governance model is effective and efficient to benefit the State.”
The announcement follows the resignation of Acting Chair Jane Seawright, who served on the RQ Board since 2019.
Chris Edwards has also concluded his tenure after five years on the Board.
New Racing Queensland Board appointees:
Matthew McGrath
Mr McGrath led the independent Racing Review in 2025 and has extensive board experience from two of Australia’s largest sporting organisations.
Gary Cunningham
Mr Cunningham is a passionate advocate for the thoroughbred industry. Mr Cunningham runs Cunningham Thoroughbreds and has been the Chair of the Queensland Thoroughbred Owners Association.
Michelle Morton
Ms Morton is a new Townsville-based Board Member and has more than 30-year experience in the legal profession and is an Accredited Specialist in both Workplace Relations and Personal Injury law.
Kym Daly
Mr Daly is a seasoned participant in the Thoroughbred Racing industry with extensive experience in integrity services and stewarding. He was previously employed by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.
The Honourable Jane Prentice
Ms Prentice has extensive experience in politics and business. Since retiring from politics in 2019, she has continued contributing through board and community roles.
Sally Branson
Ms Branson is a seasoned public affairs specialist with over twenty-four years of diverse experience in Diplomatic, Military, Government, Political, Not-for-profit, and corporate sectors.
