Australian Pacing Gold has announced the appointment of former client services and account manager Anthony Essex as the new general manager.
APG deputy chairman Peter Watkinson expressed the company’s enthusiasm for Essex’s promotion.
“Anthony’s shown a lot of initiative in a wide range of areas since joining the company 20 months ago. He’s helped turn the business around. We had a lot of credibility issues, but I think we’re slowly overcoming those and getting back to where we were but in a better way.” Watkinson said. “Anthony’s rebuilding the company back. I think there’s a bright future for APG going forward.”
Essex’s appointment further strengthens APG’s position as a market leader in the yearling sales arena.
“We are back strong in every State. We are opening the lines of communication and working hard to be as transparent and approachable as possible” he said. “We have a good team in play now headed up by James Rogers (IT and communications), Belinda Richardson (administration and accounts) and out in the field are our sales consultants John Coffey and Lance Holberton.”
First up on the agenda of the new General Manager is sale dates and venues for next year.
“The dates and venues for next year’s sales have been tentatively booked already and we are just confirming we have no major clashes on the calendar before we will announce them” confirmed Essex. “We are also currently accepting nominations for the annual online National Mixed Sale for broodmares, weanlings and racehorses. After not having the sale in 2023, it’s great to have it back.”
Along with the reintroduction of the National Mixed Sale, Essex talked about various initiatives and updates APG has in the works.
“You may have already seen our first one going up, Sire Paddock. Anyone can currently jump on our website and check out the profile of every sire represented in our yearling sales,” he said. “And this is just step 1. We plan to continue updating our existing pages and adding new ones to make this your ‘go to’ asset when you need information on sires whether you are a breeder, seller, or buyer.”
Essex has a strong family background in the three racing codes – harness, thoroughbred and greyhounds.
His parents Rob and Pam Essex, trading as Maywyn Lodge, have been successful breeders, owners and supporters of the yearling sales for many years. Among the best pacers they have been involved with are Badge Of Honour, Dinnygonne, the Group 1 APG Final winner Maywyn Jasper and the dual Group winner Maywyn Tonz.
“I used to go with dad to Albion Park when I was a ‘little tacker’,” Anthony laughed. “It’s 40 (ish) year later and I am still going to the track with dad, I guess you could say racing is in the blood.”
Prior to joining APG, Anthony has been involved in his own several businesses, worked with the RNA in Brisbane and he served as the harness handicapper and worked in greyhound administration and integrity with Racing Queensland and was manager of the Capalaba Greyhound Racing Club, helping them through a challenging period.
Anthony lives on the Northside of Brisbane with wife Katherine and daughters Willow and Sapphire.
