Bernard Saundry
Chair, Harness Racing Victoria
Bernard Saundry is one of Australasia’s most experienced racing and sports administrators, with a career spanning over three decades in senior leadership roles across the thoroughbred, harness, and media sectors. He is currently Chair of Harness Racing Victoria and has previously served as CEO of Racing Victoria, RSN Racing & Sport, and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
Throughout his career, Bernard has delivered significant strategic and commercial outcomes. As CEO of Racing Victoria, he oversaw the creation of Racing.com, a dedicated digital and Free-to-Air TV platform for Victorian racing, through a joint venture with Seven West Media. He also delivered a three-year strategic plan that increased industry revenue by $80 million and transformed a $38 million debt into a $75 million future fund to support long-term investment in media, infrastructure, and wagering.
Bernard has held board and executive roles with AFL New Zealand, The Races NZ, and the Western Bulldogs, and has negotiated major media, wagering, and funding agreements across both codes of racing. His deep strategic insight and cross-jurisdictional experience give him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the racing industry today.
