The Oakbank Racing Club Committee is today pleased to announce the appointment of Barney Gask as Chairman of the Board.

Mr Gask has taken the reigns from John Glatz, who had been in the role since 1991, after he stepped down from the position at the Club’s AGM in September this year.

A lawyer and partner at the law firm Tindall, Gask and Bentley, Mr Gask has been a Member of the Oakbank Racing Club Committee since 2006.

Married to former leading jockey Cheree Buchiw and now living in the Adelaide Hills, Mr Gask and his family have had a long involvement in racing in South Australia. His father owned horses with leading trainer Leon MacDonald, his grandfather was formerly a member of the SAJC Committee, while his brother Jeremy, who began his training career in SA, is now training in the UK.

Paying tribute to the long-standing former Chairman, Mr Gask said, “John Glatz has been a wonderful ambassador for the Oakbank Racing Club. His commitment and contribution to Oakbank and jumps racing over many years will leave an indelible mark on the racing in this state, and in particular the Easter Racing Carnival. His hand in the success and popularity of the Carnival cannot be overstated.”

Mr Gask added that he was excited about his role in maintaining Oakbank and the Easter Racing Carnival as one of South Australia’s most iconic sporting and social events.

“The Oakbank Carnival has been the Easter destination for thousands of families and racing fans from all over the state and across Australia for more than 140 years. It remains the best-attended race meeting in South Australia by a significant margin,” he said.

“I look forward to the challenge that lies ahead to preserve the attraction and uniqueness of this iconic event and confirm the Club’s commitment to holding jumps races at our picturesque Adelaide Hills course, which is matched nowhere else in the country.”

The Oakbank Racing Club Committee was also pleased to announce that Stephen Charlton has been re- elected to the position of Deputy Chairman and Adam Clements has assumed the role of Club Secretary, effective immediately. Mr Clements replaces Chris Biggs, who had been in the post for the past ten years.

Both Mr Glatz and Mr Biggs have given outstanding service to Oakbank Racing Club and the Committee acknowledged their significant roles in making the Easter Racing Carnival South Australia’s most popular and successful race meeting. Both men will be honoured by the Club at the 2017 Carnival.