William Andrew Picken (born 5 May 1950) is an Australian

horse racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...

executive. He served as chairman of the

Sydney Turf Club Australian Turf Club (ATC) owns and operates thoroughbred racing, events and hospitality venues across Sydney, Australia. The ATC came into being on 7 February 2011 when the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) and the Sydney Turf Club (STC) merged. The ...

(STC) from 2008 until its merger in 2010 with the

Australian Jockey Club Australian Turf Club (ATC) owns and operates thoroughbred racing, events and hospitality venues across Sydney, Australia. The ATC came into being on 7 February 2011 when the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) and the Sydney Turf Club (STC) merged. The ...

(AJC).

Education

Picken attended

Newington College Newington College is a multi-campus Independent school, independent Uniting Church in Australia, Uniting Church Single-sex education, single-sex and Mixed-sex education, co-educational Pre-school education, early learning, Primary school, primar ...

(1958–1967), commencing as a preparatory school student in Wyvern House.

Racing career

He joined the STC in 1988. He was elected to the board in 1998 and has served as Honorary Treasurer from 2003 to 2004 and Vice Chairman from 2005 to 2008. In December 2008 he was elected Chairman. Picken has a long association with the racing industry and has successfully raced and bred horses. He was also member of the AJC and is a Councillor of the

Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales The Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales was founded on 5 July 1822, when a group of Sydney's leading citizens formed the Agricultural Society of NSW, and is "a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting agricultural developmen ...

(RAS). He has been Ringmaster at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on numerous occasions since 2007. In 2022, Picken received the

Medal of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of then ...

for services to horse racing.

References

1950 births Living people Australian horse racing officials People educated at Newington College Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia {{Australia-horseracing-bio-stub