Melbourne-based stipendiary steward, Gerard Bush will join the Hong Kong Jockey Club panel from February next year following the resignation of Philip Dingwall.
Dingwall, 48, has resigned from the stewards’ panel with immediate effect, and he will not officiate at Sunday’s Sha Tin fixture.
His departure will leave Kim Kelly’s team down to only four members until Bush commences on February 1.
“I’ve been at the club for almost ten years and it has been a tremendous experience, but sometimes you have to take other opportunities when they come along,” said Dingwall, a product of the Australian stewarding system, who had arrived in 2005 after serving time in Sydney and then as the youngest-ever chief steward at the Malayan Racing Association.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to work for the Jockey Club, which is recognised world wide as an organisation which sets the benchmarks for professionalism and integrity in horse racing.
“And I particularly want to thank the chief executive, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, and the executive director of racing, Bill Nader, for the great assistance and support they’ve given me over my time here in Hong Kong.”
Bush, 40, is currently working as a steward with Racing Victoria in Australia, after previously serving as a steward and administrator with the Emirates Racing Authority in the United Arab Emirates.
Bush began his career in Australia in 1998 with the Western Australian Turf Club then departed in 2003 to join the ERA as stipendiary steward and racing administrator.
He was elevated to chief steward in 2006 and occupied the post until last year, chairing all race meetings in the UAE, including the prestigious Dubai World Cup.
