Board Members

BOB HOLTON | Chairman

Bob Holton was elected to the SAJC Board in November 2015 and has been a member for more than 20 years.

Bob has a long association with racing and was a licensed bookmaker for 26 years. For 8 years he was the Chairman of the South Australian Bookmakers’ League and represented SA in National Conferences. He and his wife Chris part own a number of racehorses and greatly enjoy the thrills and friendships involved.

Bob was the Managing Director of successful retail lighting businesses for 37 years. He is determined to use his lived experiences in racing and business to work cooperatively with other Board Members to promote the best interests of members and stakeholders.

JUDITH JONES | Vice Chairman

Judith Jones was elected on 15th December 2020 after filling a casual vacancy from May 2020. Judith currently consults to Local Government in South Australia, specialising in governance.

She has significant experience in the racing industry and was a Board Member of Thoroughbred Racing SA for three years, Chairperson of the Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club for five years and a member of the South Australian Racing Clubs Council for four and a half years. Was a joint proprietor of a large education and pre training centre for thoroughbreds, and breeds and races thoroughbreds. She was previously Chief Executive Officer of The Barossa Council for ten years, acting Chief Executive Officer for a number of Councils as well as the East Waste Management Authority and a Board Member of Zero Waste SA.

JOHN GIRVAN

John was elected to the Board at the AGM on 15th December 2020 after filling a casual vacancy from May 2020.

John is a regular attendee at Morphettville with his wife Allie and baby boy Augustus (Augie).  As an avid race goer, he has a passion for thoroughbred racing and is an owner of several horses.  He has a Bachelor in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Adelaide and has worked in a variety of roles in the defence industry both in Australia and the USA for the past 20 years.

To complement his technical knowledge John is finalising a Masters of Business Administration in 2020 which will help underpin his professional experience with sound conceptual knowledge.

John brings enthusiasm, leadership and a commitment to excellence to the SAJC Board.  His knowledge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the opportunities this has to drive efficiencies in a modern-day workforce will be an asset to the Board.

John is passionate about the membership, sustainability and success of thoroughbred racing at Morphettville.

CHRISTINE SIMPSON

Christine was reappointed to the Board in December 2020 and has previously served a three-year term on the Board from November 2016 until November 2019. She has been a member of the SAJC for 20 years.

Christine is passionate about racing and attends Morphettville almost every Saturday. Her interest in racing comes from a long family history in the sport. Her Great Great Grandfather was a trainer, and her Great Grandfather was a jockey. She currently races horses with Richard and Chantelle Jolly.

She has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and has been the Deputy Principal at St Aloysius College for 23 years. St Aloysius College is an all-girls Catholic school from Reception to Year 12 where she was responsible for the welfare of 1,250 students and 130 staff. In this role she was part of strategic planning, financial management, human resources management, marketing and infrastructure planning and

projects. She brings all these experiences and skills to the SAJC Board.

RON PRATT

Ron was reappointed to the Board in December 2020 and has previously served a three-year term on the Board from November 2014 until November 2017. He has been a member of the SAJC for more than 40 years.

Ron has previously been Chair of the Risk and Governance Committee from 2016-2017 as well as an independent Member of the SAJC Constitution Working Party in 2020.

Ron was CEO of Wimmera Racing from 1995 to 2000 and HR Manager at Racing Victoria from 2000 to 2004. Ron’s extensive racing experience was concurrent with a career as Teacher, Principal and consultant throughout South Australia.

PETA SOUTHERN-NINNIS

Peta Southern-Ninnis was elected to the SAJC Board in November  2022.

Peta has over 28 years’ experience in Marketing, Partnerships, Events, Sales, and Brand reputation with global brands such as Jack Daniel’s, Johnnie Walker, the Adelaide 36ers, the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) and Police Health. More recently, Peta manages Stakeholder & Partnership relationships at Disaster Relief Australia which unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy disaster relief teams Australia-wide. Both her skillset and experience will complement the SAJC’s Masterplan and new Event Centre, to ensure its every success, with good governance.

Peta and her husband Paul are passionate, avid racegoers and supporters of the SAJC. You’ll find them in attendance at the races most Saturdays watching their horses and supporting the associated stables and their owners.

GIUSEPPE MOTTILLO

Giuseppe was appointed to the Board in August 2023 to fill a casual vacancy.

Giuseppe is a legal practitioner specialising in civil litigation and dispute resolution. He has a Master of Laws and domestic and international experience advising prominent sportspeople and sporting organisations.

Giuseppe is passionate about thoroughbred racing and membership organisations. He is not only a member of the SAJC but also of several interstate thorougbred racing clubs and a number of legal associations.

Giuseppe hopes to use his experience, knowledge, and skills to help the SAJC achieve its principal objective of encouraging thoroughbred racing while also ensuring that it is commercially robust and financially sustainable.