Brisbane Racing Club Chairman Neville Bell has received a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day honours list.

Bell was honoured for his contribution to racing and the community of Caboolture, north of Brisbane.

He was an original member of the BRC board when the Queensland Turf Club and Brisbane Turf Club amalgamated in 2008.

Bell has been BRC chairman since 2012 and has overseen a move from a racing-only emphasis to a commercial based business for the club.

He is a leading racehorse owner and has run the Kilto Park Stud near Caboolture for 30 years.

Bell has a long association with sporting and charity groups in the Caboolture area.

“The honour is unexpected and is more for the racing industry and the people of Caboolture,” Bell said.