Latest News

Hawkesbury Race Club welcomes its new racecourse manager Kyle Cassim.

Kyle has now overseen his first race meeting as well as a busy set of barrier trials and is excited about what he sees in his new role as Hawkesbury’s racecourse manager.

Cassim, 35, has moved from Rosehill Gardens where he spent six years including two years as assistant racecourse manager to Shaun Patterson.

Kyle has taken up the role from Rick Johnston who has transitioned into another key Hawkesbury role as venue caretaker.

Cassim joined Australian Turf Club at Rosehill Gardens six years ago on the recommendation of former ATC employee Andrew Webb, whom he met as a team leader at a golf course whilst doing a Sports and Turf Management course.

He didn’t hesitate to accept the Hawkesbury Race Club position recently when chosen from a number of strong applicants.

“I’m married with two very young children and live at St Clair in the Penrith region,” he said.

“I’ve made a lot of friends working at Rosehill and was sorry to leave, but Hawkesbury is much closer to home, and this was an opportunity too good to pass up.

“I’m excited to be here and pleased to also be working with great staff.

“Obviously Rosehill is home to many successful trainers and it was a fun experience.

“My job at Hawkesbury is to prepare and maintain the tracks in the best possible condition and present the best racing surface I can at all our meetings.”

Hawkesbury Chief Executive Officer, James Heddo is pleased to welcome Kyle as the Club plans strongly for the future.

“We wanted to ensure a seamless process in bringing in a new racecourse manager, with the advantage of maintaining Rick Johnston’s valuable experience,” said Heddo.

“Kyle is a very impressive young man with a good reputation in the Industry through his work at Rosehill Gardens and he is a great acquisition to our team here at Hawkesbury.”

Cassim also paid a well-deserved tribute to his predecessor Rick Johnston, who joined the Hawkesbury club nearly 20 years ago and has been racecourse manager for the last four years.

“Rick is a lovely bloke, and the hardest worker I have known,” he said. “It’s a great advantage for me to be able to call on his experience.”

Cassim’s first feature meeting - the $200,000 Listed Rowley Mile - is scheduled for Thursday 17 August.