John Messara

John Messara is an Australian thoroughbred horse breeder and owner who is the current Chairman of Racing New South Wales, a body established under the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 to control and regulate the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Industry. He was appointed to this position in December 2011. He was elected Deputy Chairman of the Australian Racing Board in June 2012, and in December 2013 was elected chairman, on the retirement of the Hon. Michael Duffy. Messara has also been a Member of the Australian Pattern Committee since 2006. Messara formerly chaired the boards of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (2007–2008) and Aushorse Marketing (2001–2008)

John Messara was born in Alexandria, Egypt and emigrated in 1958 to Sydney, Australia where he was educated at St Ignatius College, and the University of New South Wales. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Public Accountant. He married his wife Kristine in 1973 and they have four adult children: Louise, Paul, Michael and Susanne.

Messara began his career with Edwin V. Nixon & Partners (Arthur Young & Co.), chartered accountants, before joining the firm of Ralph King & Yuill, Member of the Sydney Stock Exchange, and establishing their European Branch in Geneva, Switzerland.

He returned to Australia, was elected a Member of the Sydney Stock Exchange in 1973 and established J. M. Messara & Co., Stockbrokers. He retained membership of the Stock Exchange until 1992.

In 1985, Messara established the thoroughbred racing and breeding business Arrowfield Group Limited.

In 1993 he took up a position as Executive Chairman of the then Stock Exchange-listed company, Arrowfield Group Ltd (formerly Australian Racing & Breeding Stables).

In August 2000 he privatised the Arrowfield Group and became the sole shareholder and Chairman of the company.

Through his leadership and management of Arrowfield Stud, Messara:

• Launched and managed the early Australian stud career of Champion sire Danehill.
• Purchased Danehill in partnership with Coolmore Stud, thereby initiating the modern practice of shuttling stallions between hemispheres.
• Has launched and managed the stallion careers of Champion Sires Redoute's Choice & Flying Spur.
• Has developed successful partnerships and joint ventures with several of the world's most significant owners and breeders, including HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Markus Jooste, the Yoshida family and HH the Aga Khan, as well as the late Robert Sangster and the late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum (through Gainsborough Stud).
• Has bred, raised and/or sold over 40 Group 1 winners including 2007–2008 Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Weekend Hussler, Alverta, Danewin, Danzero, Dr Grace, Flying Spur, Forensics, Lankan Rupee, Mahaya, Master of Design, Mentality, Miss Finland, Nothin' Leica Dane, Pharaoh, Snitzerland & Zabeel .
• Has raced Group 1 winners including All American, Alverta, Animal Kingdom, Dundeel, Flying Spur, Mahaya, Miss Finland & Snitzel.

Awards

Messara's work within, and on behalf of the Australian thoroughbred industry has been recognised with several awards including:

• 2011 NSW Breeders’ inaugural Heroic Award

for "an exceptional contribution to the NSW and Australian thoroughbred breeding industries in leadership, innovation, achievement and excellence.”

• 2008 appointed Member of the Order of Australia

for "services to the thoroughbred horse racing industry, particularly through the introduction of best practice initiatives in the areas of reproduction and stud management.”

• 2008 Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association President's Award

for efforts on behalf of the industry as Aushorse chairman and Thoroughbred Breeders' Association President.

• 2008 NSW Department of Primary Industries Certificate of Appreciation

for outstanding contribution to the Equine Influenza Eradication Campaign.

Messara was ranked 40th on the 2013 list of the Top 50 Most Powerful People in NSW.