Racing Victoria appointed a new chief vet on Monday. They let him go on Tuesday. The role oversees Melbourne Cup safety protocols
Just a day after Racing Victoria announced his appointment, Dr. He has sensationally backtracked on his decision to appoint Glenn Robertson-Smith as the new chief vet.
The embarrassing U-turn came on Tuesday after Racing Victoria learned Robertson-Smith had been accused of making threatening phone calls to the Melbourne Racing Club manager in 2018.
Racing Victoria released a statement on Tuesday night saying “the appointment of Dr Glenn Robertson-Smith as the next chief veterinary officer will not be proceeding.”
“Based on the information confirmed today, we have decided that we will not proceed with the appointment,” RV CEO Aaron Morrison said.
“I have also initiated a review of our internal processes to ensure they are as rigorous as possible.”
Robertson-Smith has been contacted for comment.
Dr Robertson-Smith left her job in December last year following allegations of workplace bullying. She was due to start for Racing Victoria on 10 August, replacing Grace Forbes.
RV’s head of integrity Jamie Stier welcomed Robertson-Smith’s appointment on Monday.
“Glenn returns to Australia from his current role with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and will be well known to many in the industry given his extensive veterinary background in Victoria,” Stier said in the Racing Victoria press release.
But on Tuesday, Stier and Morrison were working hard to reverse the decision.
The chief veterinary officer fulfills a vital role by overseeing key Melbourne Cup safety protocols, leading the industry’s anti-doping program and staffing the 530 annual race meetings with vets, veterinary nurses and swabbing officials.
Racing Victoria also announced Dr. Announced the appointment of Stephanie Chapman as deputy chief veterinary officer.
Chapman will immediately begin screening international horses targeting this year’s spring racing carnival and Melbourne Cup, starting on July 13.
Stier said in a statement on Monday that the dual appointment of Robertson-Smith and Chapman “will provide great leadership to our hard-working veterinary services team, who play a vital role in promoting and protecting equine welfare and compliance every day.”
RV emailed staff on Tuesday night and this imprint saw: “We have been informed today of the admissions made in the Magistrates Court case which means the appointment of Dr Robertson-Smith is not in line with our values… this is unfortunate and we will be reviewing our internal processes to ensure they are appropriate and as rigorous as possible.
“Meanwhile, discussions regarding the appointment of another chief veterinary officer will also progress.”
Forbes reached an out-of-court settlement with Racing Victoria in December. An ugly debate that lasted for months Forbes appealed to the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Court.
In his appeal to the commission to stop the bullying, Forbes claimed he was being pressured by Racing Victoria to be more flexible and allow international horses “at high risk of injury” to run in the Melbourne Cup.
Counsel Nicholas Harrington told the Fair Work Commission his client was “harmed” by Racing Victoria’s conduct.
Racing Victoria and Morrison have strongly denied the allegations.
Forbes presided over the program to introduce stringent safety protocols for the Melbourne Cup in 2021; This was a fundamental change that prevented horses from suffering serious injuries and dying in racing.
Robertson-Smith was seen as a highly regarded replacement.
A veterinary surgeon for more than 40 years, he operated at Caulfield and Cranbourne racecourses and lectured on surgery at the University.
He is a fellow of the Australian College of Equine Surgical Veterinary Scientists and has undertaken advanced postgraduate training in Australia and the United States.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
