NSW Minister for Racing George Souris has appointed John Messara as the inaugural chairman for the incoming board of Racing NSW.

Messara’s immediate predecessor Kevin Greene is among the successful candidates as are Alan Brown and Ken Brown who were retained from the previous board.

Advertising industry executive Naseema Sparks will be the deputy chair and the other members are Russell Balding and Ken Hodgson.  The new trio replace Alan Bell, Kim Harding and Arthur Inglis.

As Arrowfield Group chairman, Messara has been credited with revolutionising the Australian breeding industry as a pioneer of the shuttling of northern hemisphere stallions to Australia.

Messara was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the racing and breeding industries, particularly through the introduction of best practice initiatives in the areas of reproduction and stud management.

As well as being a breeder, he is a successful racehorse owner and former president of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.

The appointments and the enabling legislation will commence on December 19.