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Stewards of Integrity: Guiding our Vision

At Woodbine Entertainment, our governance and leadership framework is designed to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. Our commitment to ethical business practices ensures that we lead the industry with confidence and trust.

Guiding Lights: Our Board of Directors.

Our Board of Directors is composed of esteemed professionals who bring a wealth of experience and a diverse array of perspectives to Woodbine Entertainment. Their strategic guidance and steadfast commitment to excellence drive our continued success.

Jim Lawson portrait
Jim Lawson
Executive Chair, Woodbine Entertainment Group
Sovereign Award-winning owner with 45 years in the industry. Former CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, and Chair of Jockey Club of Canada and Ontario Racing.
Hugh Mitchell portrait
Hugh Mitchell
Lead Director, Woodbine Entertainment Group (Former) President, Western Fair District
Formerly President & CEO Western Fair District, SVP of Racing at Woodbine Entertainment, and Chair of Board of Harness Tracks of America and Ontario Racing.
Blake Tohana portrait
Blake Tohana
Chief Financial Officer, 9 Story Media Group
CFO of 9 Story Media Group. Previously Executive Vice President and CFO of Magna Entertainment Corp from 2003 -2010.
R.M. Aziz portrait
R.M. Aziz
Chief Operating Officer, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System
Former Thoroughbred owner and passionate about racing. Now COO OMERS, Chair of Bruce Power, Lead Director at Brewers Retail, and Board member of Halton Healthcare.
Edward C. Hannah portrait
Edward C. Hannah
Founding Partner, Karama Investment Partnership
Founding Partner of Karama Investment Partnership. Highly respected and recognized as leading expert in compliance and wagering. Former executive and consultant for Stronach Group.
Michael Lay portrait
Michael Lay
Managing Partner & Co-Head, ONCAP
Thoroughbred owner with 12 horses including most recently campaigning stakes-winner Cruden Bay. Managing Partner and Head of ONCAP, middle market private equity platform of Onex.
Jaime Roth portrait
Jaime Roth
LNJ Foxwood Stables
Breeder, owner, co-founder LNJ Foxwoods. With Gainesway Farm, campaigned Sovereign Award Winner Loyalty. LNJ Foxwoods co-owner of 2019 Kentucky Derby Winner Country House and 2019 Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint champion Covfefe.
Marvin Katz portrait
Marvin Katz
President and Co-Founder KG Group
O’Brien Award-winning Standardbred owner and breeder. Owned multiple North America Cup winners and champions in U.S. and Canada, including Tall Dark Stranger, Ariana G and Captaintreacherous.
Scott Mitchell portrait
Scott Mitchell
Managing Partner / CEO Hamilton Sports Group
Thoroughbred owner and Managing Partner/CEO of Hamilton Sports Group (HSG). He and his family have been successful owners in both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing.
Brad Grant portrait
Brad Grant
Standardbred Owner and Breeder
Top Standardbred owner at Mohawk Park eight of last nine years. U.S. Owner of the Year in 2022. Owned Atlanta, Ramona Hill, stay Hungry and world's fastest Standardbred, Bulldog Hanover.
Mark Saunders portrait
Mark Saunders
Former Chief of Police
Retired police officer and Chief of Police for Toronto Police Service. Recipient of Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Community Contributions.
Tom Mungham portrait
Tom Mungham
Former CEO and Registrar of the AGCO
Former CEO and Registrar of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), which oversees the regulation of the horse racing industry. He spent 17 years at the AGCO.
Mark Krembil portrait
Mark Krembil
Principal of Chiefswood Stables
Family owns and operates Chiefswood Stables – Canada’s largest Thoroughbred breeder-owner, which has produced multiple graded stakes winning horses. He is also President of the Krembil Foundation which supports medical research.

Committees

Standardbred Racing Committee
  • H. Mitchell – Chair
  • E.C. Hannah
  • M. Katz
  • M. Saunders
  • T. Mungham
Audit Committee
  • B. Tohana – Chair
  • E.C. Hannah
  • H. Mitchell
  • S. Mitchell
  • M. Krembil
Governance and Compliance Committee
  • R.M. Aziz – Chair
  • H. Mitchell
  • M. Saunders
  • T. Mungham
People and Culture Committee
  • M. Lay – Chair
  • B. Tohana
  • J. Roth
  • M. Saunders
  • B. Grant
Property Development Committee
  • J. Lawson – Chair
  • B. Aziz
  • M. Lay
  • E.C. Hannah
  • M. Katz
Thoroughbred Racing Committee
  • J. Lawson – Chair
  • R.M. Aziz
  • H. Mitchell
  • M. Lay
  • J. Roth
  • S. Mitchell
  • M. Krembil
  • Y. Schwabe (Non-Director)

Pillars of Integrity: Corporate Governance and Compliance

Woodbine Entertainment is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of experienced business leaders. The Board collaborates with the executive management team to ensure business operations adhere to established governance and ethical standards. This leadership group is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the racing product, which is essential for the confidence of wagering customers and industry participants. They believe a healthy horse racing industry relies on the financial viability of its racetracks, which provide the venues and purse income necessary for horseracing.

Key Regulatory Bodies

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO): Oversees all races at licensed Ontario racetracks, including human drug testing, breathalyzer programs, and track security standards. The AGCO issues over 30,000 licenses to individuals and businesses involved in horse racing and licenses the racetracks themselves.

Ontario Racing (OR): Separate industry association that supports the horse racing industry by developing and overseeing programs that assist the industry. The Horse Improvement Program (HIP) that has been delivered by Ontario RacingOR and was established in 1974 to increase employment in the racing industry and support the economic stability of Ontario’s farms by encouraging ownership of Ontario-sired horses.

Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA): Special Operating Agency within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada that regulates and supervises pari-mutuel betting on horse racing at racetracks across Canada, thereby ensuring that pari-mutuel betting is conducted in a way that is fair to the public. The Agency is funded through the collection of a levy of 0.8% on each pari-mutuel bet placed in Canada. Canadian Pari-Mutuel AgencyCPMA Officers are responsible for the supervision of pari-mutuel betting, they test and monitor all of the computerized betting tote systems, audit the distribution of payouts prices, conduct investigations into questionable activities in pari-mutuel betting, and enforce the betting regulations and policies to ensure compliance.

The Canadian Pari-Mutuel AgencyCPMA is also responsible for monitoring for equine drug use. Since there are many drugs and medications that, if administered to a horse, could affect the outcome of a race, the Canadian Pari-Mutuel AgencyCPMA provides an Equine Drug Control Program that is designed to deter the uncontrolled use of drugs or medication in racehorses participating in pari-mutuel races. Urine or blood samples are collected from horses in the Woodbine/Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency CPMA test barns, under video surveillance, before or after a race and are analyzed at a laboratory contracted by the Canadian Pari-Mutuel AgencyCPMA. This regulator also carries out research in order to develop and improve analytical methods for the detection of drugs and to provide information on elimination times for veterinary drugs.

Gaming Regulatory Agency

Gaming in Ontario is regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario . As a host site to slot operations conducted and managed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation , Woodbine Entertainment is licensed by the lcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario as a Non-Gaming Supplier.

Committed to Excellence and Integrity

Our leadership and governance practices are meticulously designed to foster an environment of trust and excellence. By adhering to these principles, Woodbine Entertainment continues to set the benchmark in the horseracing and gaming industries, delivering unparalleled experiences to our guests and stakeholders. Explore our comprehensive governance documentation and learn more about the principles that guide us.

Blueprint of Excellence: Governance Documentation

Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of our governance practices. Access our key governance documents, which include guidelines, policies, and committee charters that reflect our dedication to maintaining exemplary standards.

Key Documents: