Dean Elliot
DEAN Elliott’s hunger to take on a challenge has delivered one of the most rewarding chapters of his life.
When Elliott walks out of Harness Racing SA’s office for the last time today (Friday), he has much to be proud and excited about.
It is not a stretch to say he has transformed the industry and given the participants much-needed reason for hope and optimism in his three-and-a-half stint as HRSA chief executive.
Uniting a deeply fractured industry and “almost doubling” prize money are his headline achievements. Many felt the industry had no viable future.
“Lots of people asked at the time why I took the role back in November, 2021, but I felt there was a pulse and I love a challenge,” he said.
“The first step was to show the industry the only way forward was to work together and the rest has come together from there.
“An enormous thanks and acknowledgement must also go to the HRSA Board led by Carlo D’Ortenzio, HRSA staff, stakeholders, and participants all of whom gave effort, sacrifice, and passion to their respective crafts.
“This has been a team effort, an industry-wide effort.
“The past three-and-a- half years were some of the most challenging and rewarding I’ve experienced. From survival mode to a growth phase, to a new era ahead, there is much reason to be optimistic about harness racing’s future despite ongoing challenges.
Under Elliott’s leadership, HRSA has:
· Seen a 33 per cent prize money increase and 22 per cent horse population growth, in FY24 alone.
· Maximised wagering outcomes via renegotiated wagering agreements, programming, scheduling and wagering analysis.
· Evolved a local rating and prize money model, which has led to the horse population growth.
· Increased participant confidence via bolstering integrity, risk and compliance resources.
“In recent weeks we have launched a new Strategic Plan and landed on a new Heads of Agreement with the Gawler club, just 45 minutes outside Adelaide, which will see HRSA take a long-term lease and really maximise the facility,” Elliott said.
Elliott will maintain a close eye and strong relationship with SA harness racing through his new role as Entain’s (Ladbrokes) Head of Industry & Commercial AU, which he moves straight into back in Melbourne next week.
“I love that part. I’ll really look forward to continuing my relationship with the SA racing fraternity,” he said.
Earlier this week, HRSA announced Heath Pocock as Elliott’s replacement. Pocock is well-known in SA racing, having most recently been CFO at Greyhound Racing SA. He is also a former HRSA board member.
“The decision to leave HRSA wasn’t an easy one, but two key factors have given me great comfort,” Elliott said. “Firstly, the appointment of Heath Pocock, knowing that the organisation is in great hands and, secondly, the blueprint we’ve created internally so the SA racing industry is on the right track.”
PHOTO: Courtesy HRSA
