The late-night phone calls that ended vet’s Racing Victoria job

The man who lasted one day as Racing Victoria’s new chief vet faced Melbourne Magistrate’s Court nine years ago on two charges of making threatening phone calls to a Melbourne Racing Club executive.

Court documents show that Dr Glenn Robertson-Smith, 70, escaped conviction but was issued with a diversion order for two counts of “using a carriage service to harass”. He completed the order six months later in April 2019.

The diversion program allows first-time offenders or those charged with minor crimes to avoid a criminal record.

Racing Victoria sensationally backflipped on its decision to appoint Robertson-Smith on Tuesday – just 24 hours after announcing he would be starting in the role.

The state’s governing body made the embarrassing U-turn after being made aware of Robertson-Smith’s 2018 court appearance.

Racing Victoria released a statement on Tuesday night, saying it would not be “proceeding with the appointment of Dr Glenn Robertson-Smith as its next chief veterinary officer”.

“Based on information confirmed today we have decided we won’t be proceeding with the appointment,” RV chief executive Aaron Morrison said on Tuesday.

“Further, I have initiated a review of our internal processes to ensure that they are as rigorous as possible.”

Robertson-Smith was contacted for comment.

Two sources with close knowledge of the situation, but unable to speak in an official capacity, confirmed Robertson-Smith was charged after making two anonymous late-night phone calls to MRC’s head of racing and operations Jake Norton in 2018. The calls were reported to police.

Norton was contacted by this masthead but declined to comment.

Robertson-Smith was to have started at Racing Victoria on August 10, replacing Dr Grace Forbes who quit her post in December last year following allegations she had been bullied in the workplace.

RV’s head of integrity, Jamie Stier, welcomed Robertson-Smith’s appointment on Monday.

“Glenn is returning to Australia from his current role with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and will be well known to many within the industry given his extensive veterinary background in Victoria,” Stier said in a Racing Victoria press release.

But by Tuesday, Stier and Morrison were working vigorously to reverse the decision.

The chief veterinary officer performs a vital role, overseeing the crucial Melbourne Cup safety protocols, leading the industry’s anti-doping program and staffing 530 yearly race meetings with vets, vet nurses and swabbing officials.

Racing Victoria also announced the appointment of Dr Stephanie Chapman as deputy chief veterinary officer on Monday.

Chapman will start on July 13, and will almost immediately begin screening international horses that are targeting this year’s spring racing carnival and Melbourne Cup.

Stier said on Monday the dual appointment of Robertson-Smith and Chapman “would provide great leadership to our hard-working veterinary services team who play a vital role in supporting and protecting the welfare of horses and compliance with the rules every day”.

RV sent an email to staff on Tuesday night, seen by this masthead, that said, “Today we were provided with information about admissions made in a Magistrates Court matter that means that Dr Robertson-Smith’s appointment does not align with our values ... this is an unfortunate situation, and we will be conducting a review of our internal processes to ensure that they are appropriate and as rigorous as possible.

“In the meantime, discussions will progress on the appointment of another chief veterinary officer.”

Forbes reached an out-of-court settlement with Racing Victoria in December after an ugly, months-long spat in which Forbes had lodged applications with the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Court.

In her application to the commission for an order to stop bullying, Forbes alleged she had been pressured by Racing Victoria to become more flexible and allow international horses at “high risk of injury” to run in the Melbourne Cup.

Her legal counsel, barrister Nicholas Harrington, told the Fair Work Commission his client had been “damaged” by the conduct of Racing Victoria.

Racing Victoria and Morrison strongly denied the claims.

Forbes headed the program that introduced strict safety protocols for the Melbourne Cup in 2021 – a fundamental shift that stopped horses suffering catastrophic injuries and dying in the race.

Robertson-Smith was seen as a highly regarded replacement.

A vet for more than 40 years, he operated out of Caulfield and Cranbourne racecourses, and lectured in surgery at the University.

He is a fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Equine Surgery, with advanced postgraduate training in Australia and the United States.

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