John Cornish will step down from his role as chairman of the Australian Turf Club in February.

His retirement from the post was announced at the club's annual general meeting on Thursday with vice chairman Michael Crismale confirmed as his replacement.

Cornish, the inaugural chairman of the ATC, has been in the role for three years and has overseen vast changes in Sydney racing.

Among the projects he has helped drive have been the merger of the Australian Jockey Club and Sydney Turf Club and the $168 million redevelopment of Randwick racecourse.

He also played an important role in organising The Championships which boast huge prize money increases during Sydney's autumn carnival.

They will be staged for the first time next year.

"The last three years have been among the most challenging, exciting, and important periods in the history of Sydney racing, and every day for those past three years I have been honoured to serve as chairman of this great club," Cornish said.

Cornish is stepping down to spend more time with his family and on his private businesses.

Director Alan Osburg has also announced he will quit the ATC board in February.