Racing Victoria integrity department under the pump for shortlived appointment of chief vet Dr Glenn Robertson-Smith
The appointment of Dr Glenn Robertson-Smith was aimed at bringing stability to Racing Victoria’s veterinary department.
His predecessor Dr. It has been five months since Grace Forbes resigned following a personal leave following claims she was bullied by others in the sport’s governing body.
But instead of ushering in a new period of calm for a department that has been effectively leaderless since Forbes was first placed on leave in July last year, Robertson-Smith’s appointment lasted just a day.
His employment was announced on Monday and he was dismissed on Tuesday after it was revealed he appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court in 2018 on charges of making threatening phone calls to a Melbourne Racing Club manager.
Robertson-Smith escaped conviction but was given a six-month diversion order.
The diversion program allows first-time offenders or those accused of minor crimes to avoid a criminal record. It also enabled him to continue working as a veterinarian.
So how did the misdemeanor go unnoticed in the first place?
Ultimately, the department that hired the new vet was Racing Victoria’s integrity branch, headed by manager Jamie Stier.
The only thing they could be expected to get right was a thorough background check.
But Robertson-Smith’s hasty dismissal revealed a clear failure in the interview process; A job search led by Stier and Racing Victoria’s staff and cultural team.
The embarrassing results not only angered and disappointed CEO Aaron Morrison, but also left him searching for answers.
“I have initiated a review of our internal processes to ensure they are as rigorous as possible,” Morrison said in a statement on Tuesday night.
While Racing Victoria’s boss determines who will carry out that review, a process that would otherwise fall under integrity liability, there is an equally important matter: finding a new chief veterinarian.
Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner Terrie Benfield is aware Racing Victoria has publicly proposed a review but does not comment on individual matters.
A state government spokesman said: “Racing Victoria is responsible for employment decisions and is reviewing the matter appropriately.”
‘I never said a bad word’
Robertson-Smith, 70, came into the Racing Victoria interview process with high credentials.
A veterinarian for more than 40 years, he worked as a racing vet at Caulfield and Cranbourne racecourses before moving to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, where he completed his new role in six weeks.
He has lectured in surgery at the University of Melbourne and is a fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Equine Surgery, having undertaken advanced postgraduate training in Australia and the United States.
He was well prepared for the new task: overseeing key Melbourne Cup safety protocols, leading the industry’s anti-doping program and holding 530 annual race meetings with vets, veterinary nurses and swabbing officials.
Australian Trainers’ Association President Troy Corstens was one who believed Robertson-Smith was well-suited for the job.
“I had Aaron [Morrison] Call me before the appointment is announced and ask me what I think of Glenn Robertson-Smith, and I can tell you, I’ve known Glenn my whole life. “I never had a bad word with him,” Corstens told SEN.
“Did I know? [about the 2018 charges]? … No, I didn’t. But truth be told, I had no reason to try to find it.
“But if you asked me, I’d say, ‘Yeah, Glenn’s a great guy.’ So we’re getting some things wrong.
“But I’m probably not the one who appointed him. So I’m not trying to make excuses because he should have been taken over.”
Stier, who attended the job interviews, gave glowing support to their new head veterinarian on Monday, saying Robertson-Smith “will provide great leadership to our hard-working veterinary services team who play a vital role in supporting and protecting the welfare and compliance of horses every day.”
But Robertson-Smith’s indiscretions in 2018 were hardly a secret in an industry known for its failure to keep secrets.
A simple Google search reveals News Corp reporting on 18 May 2018 that MRC head of racing and operations Jake Norton had lodged a police complaint after receiving a series of frightening phone calls containing threats such as “we’re coming to get you”.
The news stated that two anonymous calls made late at night were made to a world-famous veterinarian.
Robertson-Smith was later charged by police with two counts of using the transport service for abusive purposes. He appeared in court in December of the same year.
Stier joined Racing Victoria as general manager of integrity services in May 2018.
But a racing industry insider, who declined to speak publicly because the matter is under investigation, said Stier played no role in investigating Robertson-Smith’s conduct. This was a police matter.
At that time racing vets did not need Racing Victoria permits as they do now and did not fall under the jurisdiction of the organisation.
The insider said Stier did not remember the newspaper report about phone threats made to Norton when he was interviewing Robertson-Smith for the head veterinarian role.
The applicant did not mention the accusations against the nine-year-old police officer during the interview process. He admitted that he had only been given a diversion order when the issue broke on Tuesday.
A race insider also said Stier and Robertson-Smith are not friends. Their paths would only cross by meeting at race meets and industry events. Stier has been contacted for comment.
‘Changes are needed’
Less than 12 hours after Robertson-Smith’s appointment, a storm hit Morrison’s desk on Tuesday morning.
The chief executive began addressing concerns from industry insiders outside Racing Victoria’s offices about Robertson-Smith’s background.
It soon became clear that new chief veterinarians should not be made eligible to run.
The issue was first reported on the race website Betsy Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. At 18.30 that night, Morrison used the axe.
Racing Victoria released a statement at 8.30pm: “Based on the information confirmed today, we have decided that we will not proceed with the appointment.”
Privately, Morrison was furious. This was the last thing he had to explain to the board; how the integrity department overlooked a vital issue of integrity.
“He was angry and frustrated with the process and the candidate who had not made any statement,” the insider said.
“He wants a review to take a hard look at what occurred and what changes need to be made to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Robertson-Smith was contacted several times by this imprint for comment.
Racing Victoria’s staff learned of Robertson-Smith’s dismissal via email on Tuesday night.
“We were 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,” he said in the email.
“In the meantime, discussions regarding the appointment of another chief veterinary officer will progress and we will keep you informed as we continue to support the veterinary services team who continue to do a tremendous job during the leadership transition period.”
The race insider said it was unclear whether Stier or his department would be involved in the search for the new job.
poisoned chalice
Racing Victoria’s integrity department has lost two head vets in five months.
Forbes’ output was mixed. He appealed to the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Court late last year before leaving the court.
In his Fair Work claims, Forbes, the architect of the Melbourne Cup safety protocols, accused Stier and Morrison of pressuring him to be more flexible and allow international horses “at high risk of injury” to run in the Melbourne Cup.
Morrison strongly denied the allegations, saying Racing Victoria’s “suggestion that it does not prioritize the welfare of our horses is completely rejected”.
But the last thing the races needed to announce his replacement was an own goal. Like having to fire Robertson-Smith the day after he was appointed.
Following Tuesday’s developments, Dr. Stephanie Chapman’s appointment as Racing Victoria’s deputy chief veterinarian has been lost.
He will take up his post on July 13 and will begin working to inspect international horses aiming to run at this year’s spring carnival.
An expert in anti-doping and outreach programs, he will be among those considered to fill the vacant chief veterinarian position.
News, results and expert analysis from the sports weekend are delivered every Monday. Sign up for our sports newsletter.
