South Australia's racing boss Frances Nelson, QC, is the new deputy chair of Racing Australia, the first woman appointed to the second highest position in the administrative body.

Nelson, the chair of Thoroughbred Racing SA, also heads the South Australian Parole Board and replaces former Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon at RA.

She has a lifelong interest in racing as a former trackwork rider and amateur jockey and is the mother of retired jumps jockey Bill Williams.

RA chairman John Messara said Nelson brought a wealth of experience to the role.

"Frances brings a vast legal knowledge and experience to Racing Australia deliberations, but it is equalled by her advocacy of the interests of the everyday worker and participant," Messara said.

"Frances is strongly representative of the grass roots of our industry and the smaller racing jurisdictions.

Racing Victoria chairman David Moodie is the new head of the Australian Pattern Committee which determines the status of black-type races, another position vacated by Dixon.

"David is an owner, breeder and regulator and well equipped to head the Pattern Committee and represent Australia's interests on the Asian Pattern Committee," Messara said.