An era will come to an end at Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) on Friday when outgoing chief executive Scott Sanbrook finishes.
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Sanbrook surprised all in the racing industry in December when he announced his resignation from MTC.
He will finish up on Friday with a busy eight-race card.
Sanbrook predicts it will be with mixed emotions that he packs up his desk and walks out the door for a final time.
"I'm excited to be starting a new chapter in my life but also tinged with sadness at the same time," Sanbrook said.
"I've had a terrific seven years here with the club. I've been so lucky to have had the opportunities I've been given by the board of directors and had such a wonderful staff to work with as well."
Sanbrook informed staff at the MTC on Monday morning, December 17, of his resignation.
Within minutes of his resignation being made public later that night, he fielded calls from across the country.
Well wishers, family, friends, even Andrew Bensley from Sky Racing. It was big news. Big news in the racing industry and big news in Wagga.
The reaction and enormity of it all still does not sit comfortably with the boy from Mangoplah.
"I was surprised by the reaction because I didn't realise what the response would be," he explained.
"In a way, nobody could see it coming because in myself I wasn't 100 per cent sure until the decision was made.
"I'm really comfortable with the decision, as much because I'm leaving the club when it's in a really good position and there are a lot of very knowledgeable people involved with the club and they've found an excellent person for the job in Steve (Keene).
"I'm very confident that the club is still on the way up. There is better things in store for it."
It is hard to overlook what the MTC has achieved in Sanbrook's seven-year reign.
It has been one of the most successful eras in the club's history, highlighted by record profits and major upgrades to infrastructure.
Sanbrook has overseen the $500,000 drainage works to the course proper, the $200,000 upgrade of the fast sand track, the installation of the solar infrastructure, the purchase of the big screen, the refurbishment of the mounting yard and Champagne Bar along with the construction of the deck.
He introduced the Wagga-based premierships, the Wagga Stayers Series, NSW's longest race - The Riverina Cup and the Southern District Racing Association (SDRA) Awards Night.
Prizemoney for the Wagga Town Plate has jumped from $65,000 to $150,000 during his time, while the Wagga Gold Cup has risen from $130,000 to $170,000.
There is also the introduction of Rock At The Races, a new significant non-racing income stream.
It is those improvements to the MTC that Sanbrook is most proud of.
"I think a major step for the club was getting the drainage work done," he said.
"Installation of the big screen was a great move for the club. We've upgraded the mounting yard, Champagne Bar and constructed the deck.
"We've improved the facilities overall but a major step was the upgrade of the course proper with the drainage because it had a history of problems and the track races a lot more evenly now.
"So the money the club has made, it's been important to put that back into the racing industry and the facilities."
Sanbrook's biggest challenge has been to get MTC's new on-course stabling off the ground.
The multi-million dollar project has required a lot of time and energy in the last couple of years.
"It's a long process and we've been working really hard. We've come a long way in the last few years but there is still a long way to go," he said.
"It's a really important project for the club, if you had a master plan it would be right at the top. It's something we've prioritised for a long time and there is a lot of steps you have got to take along the way.
"We're on the right track but we just have to keep moving forward with it. It's not going to happen tomorrow but I'd like to think the ball could continue to move reasonably quickly with it."
The role of chief executive of MTC is one of the highest profile jobs in Wagga.
He concedes there is so much more to the job than what he expected.
"There is so many different facets to it. I think versatility is the key," he said.
"You have to know a little bit about quite a few different things but you also need very good support and that's what I've had all the way through with both the office and ground staff. That's been so important.
"Before you think you might have an idea of what it's all about, before you go into the job, but there's so many different things that you would never even think about.
"I think it's important to point out that we've got one of the best track managers in country racing in Mark Hart and it helps a lot because the reputation of your track is paramount and he leaves no stone unturned in making sure that the track is always presented in first class condition...and racing is your number one priority."
Sanbrook's tenure has coincided with one of the most progressive periods in Racing NSW's history.
He honestly believes there has never been a better time to be involved in country racing.
"These last few years with how far Racing NSW has progressed, they have done an amazing job, especially with country racing," he said.
"They've increased prizemoney from $10,000 to $22,000 minimum, introduced the Everest and Kosciuszko, TAB Highway races. The Country Championships has just been amazing and Racing NSW has really built up the strength of racing in general.
"It's never been more appealing to be racing in the country than it is now and the race clubs will benefit from that as well."
Sanbrook will not be lost to racing.
He is in the process of starting up his own racing consultancy business. As part of that, he is going to assist some trainers, predominantly Chris Heywood, with their administrative work.
Sanbrook will also manage jockeys.
"I had a couple of opportunities come up that I just couldn't pass up," he said.
"In the racing industry, it's all about making the most of what you have in front of you, and also a sense of timing.
"I've always been extremely happy in the position and have enjoyed it right up until the end but now it's the chance to try something different."
Sanbrook has already teamed up with two apprentice jockeys in Wagga's Josh Richards and the Sydney-based Chris Williams.
He is looking forward to helping them take the next step in their promising careers.
"I've got the chance to manage Josh Richards, which is an excellent opportunity. He's a young rider going places and he has so much potential," he said.
"I'm also managing Chris Williams. He's a Sydney apprentice, who has started to make a name for himself with a couple of metropolitan wins recently. I'll be doing other bits and pieces for organisations in the racing industry.
"I love the racing industry and I want to remain involved in it for as long as I can. I also love Wagga, so I didn't want to leave Wagga. It was important for me to move into a job where I could do both, stay in Wagga and remain in racing."
Sanbrook says it is the people he will miss most about the MTC.
"You miss the people you've been associated with probably more than the job itself," he said.
"I've made a lot of wonderful friends and they will be people I'll remain friends with long after I leave. That's including people I've worked with, the board, the members and the racing participants.
"It's not always easy in that position but at the end of the day, it's been a really fulfilling job."
Sanbrook said there were a couple of people that he owed a great deal of thanks.
"Honestly, no one should ever underestimate the influence that Stuart Lamont has had on the club," he said.
"He's been president since 2005 and he's been on the board since 1986. He's a first class racing administrator and he's also an excellent leader. He has been a huge key to the club's success.
"The club is also lucky to have such a diverse board with an excellent skill set, and also the staff as well. Everybody has the club's best interests at heart and I think that's really important.
"I do want to thank the support I received from my family because without them, I wouldn't have been able to achieve anything and in particular, my wife Sonya."
As for how he would like his time to be remembered at the MTC, Sanbrook has no grand requests.
"Just that I gave 100 per cent to what I did. That's all," he said.
"When I first started, I said the only thing I can promise to do is my best and I'd like to think that's what I did."
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