Sport commentator John Rothfield has slammed Racing Victoria’s decision to axe on-air media talent in a cost-cutting move that brings the curtain down on Terry Bailey’s race-calling career.
Racing Victoria sacked 15 per cent of its administration and media workforce this week as the industry continues to deal with an $11.8 million financial year loss and falling wagering profits – down 5 per cent on the past financial year.
Racing Victoria has called time on Terry Bailey’s calling career.Credit: Getty Images
Two inside sources not qualified to speak on behalf of Racing Victoria said Bailey, the state’s No.2 caller behind Matt Hill, was told on Tuesday he would no longer call races for Racing.com.
The sources said other names to be leaving Racing.com included trackside presenter James Tzaferis and reporter Ben Sporle.
Editor-in-chief and general manager of content Paul Tatnell has announced his departure via social media.
The sources said Bailey was still in conversations with Racing Victoria to continue his weekly Racing.com program Tuesdays With Terry.
Rothfield, known as “Dr Turf”, lashed out after news of the cuts spread this week, saying good, talented people had paid the price for “third-rate executives endorsed by a self-interested board”.
“What a clown show Racing Victoria is,” Dr Turf posted on X.
“Set fire to $90m in prize money hikes and the disastrous ASM [All-Star Mile] then slash and burn, call it a ‘restructure’ and hope that no one will notice.”
While Racing Victoria declined to name those who had lost their jobs this week, it confirmed the cuts to this masthead.
“The Racing Victoria executive team has undertaken a comprehensive review of the structure,
resources and operations of the RV Group over recent months,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.
“As a result, a number of roles across all levels and divisions of the RV Group, including the recently
integrated RV-owned media businesses, will not be a part of the future structure.”
Richmond legend Kevin “KB” Bartlett co-hosts a podcast with John “Dr Turf” Rothfield.Credit: Justin McManus
Dr Turf, who has worked as a panellist on Racing.com’s Saturday Contenders, doubled down on his criticism of Racing Victoria this week on his regular podcast, The Bald and The Beautiful, with Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett.
“I don’t want to talk about the amateurish, appalling administration of racing in this state and the media platforms such as RSN and Racing.com and the ineptitude that oversees them,” Dr Turf said.
“I don’t want to go there, Kevin. I don’t want to talk about these no-hopers. They are totally out of their depth.
“They are not capable of taking racing forward into the 21st century, and we’re stuck with them.
“But I don’t want to talk about them, Kevin. I don’t want to denigrate them or suggest that I’m not fully behind them.”
When pushed further by Bartlett, Dr Turf said racing was in a “precarious state”.
“It’s a shit show, Racing Victoria. It’s an absolute shit show,” he said.
Racing Victoria indicated late last year the industry aimed to save $10 million over the next 12 months by streamlining its media businesses as well as reviewing race programming.
Racing.com staff were moved from their Docklands office back to Racing Victoria’s Flemington headquarters. Racing.com CEO Peter Campbell’s position was made redundant and RV appointed former Entain (Ladbrokes) media strategist Andy Hoad as executive general manager of media, content and marketing.
The changes also saw RSN CEO Bernard Saundry step down. He is now chairman of Harness Racing Victoria.
“We recognise that this is a tough time for those whose role is no longer required,” Racing Victoria said.
“These are people who have given great service to the RV Group and the Victorian racing industry.
“We thank them for their service and will continue to support them as they transition to their next
career move, including via our employee assistance program.
“Ultimately, this restructure is designed to place the RV Group, and thereafter the broader industry,
on more stable footing to address the current challenges.”
The industry’s racing radio station, Racing & Sport Network (RSN), was unaffected by this week’s cuts as it continues to service three codes – gallops, harness and greyhounds.
But, as reported by this masthead in March, SEN chief Craig Hutchison has been circling to take over the struggling station, which lost its $3 million annual TAB sponsorship in August last year.
Racing Victoria outbid Hutchison when RSN was last up for grabs in 2021. At the time RSN was valued at $7.5 million.
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