ATC Mourns Passing of Former Director and Banking Veteran Bill Evans

The Australian Turf Club (ATC) has honoured the memory of Bill Evans, a former board member who passed away recently, acknowledging his extensive contributions to Sydney racing alongside a prominent career in banking. Evans served as an ATC director from February 2014 until February 2021, also taking on the role of honorary treasurer. Even after his board term ended, he remained a familiar face at the track, known for his genuine passion for Thoroughbred racing.

Outside racing, Evans spent 32 years at Westpac, ultimately rising to Chief Economist and earning a reputation as one of Australia's foremost financial forecasters. ATC Chairman Tim Hale SC called Evans a devoted advocate for the club and the broader Sydney racing scene, commending both his business acumen and his love for the sport. Hale extended sympathies to Evans’ family, friends, and colleagues, highlighting decades of loyalty as both a club member and a director.

Separately, the ATC continues to advance improvements at Royal Randwick. Last week, the club awarded a lease for 65 boxes at the former Leilani Lodge stables to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott training partnership. This allocation will help the stable concentrate more of its operations on-site, cutting the need for horses to cross public roads when moving between stabling and training areas. The Leilani Lodge site underwent remediation after becoming vacant in 2025 and has now returned to active use. Trainer Michael Freedman, who was also shortlisted, received an additional 20 boxes elsewhere at Royal Randwick. These stable assignments are part of a broader strategy to upgrade training infrastructure and support the ongoing growth of one of Australia’s premier racing venues.