Governance Structure

Member Information > Governance > Governance Structure

Governance Structure

Ontario Racing is a not-for-profit corporation established in 2018 to serve as the voice of the Ontario horse racing industry.

Ontario Racing is responsible for directing breed improvement programs, setting an annual program of races and purses, attracting new horse owners, building a fan base and connecting the industry with government and the general public.

Ontario Racing Articles and By-Laws
FY2025 Annual Business Plan

Information and documents pertaining to the Funding Agreement can be found here.

Board of Directors

The Ontario Racing Board of Directors is representative of the broader horse racing industry to ensure that Ontario Racing is led by experienced and knowledgeable individuals.

There is one (1) representative from the below categories, plus an Independent Chair for a total of 11 members.
 

Below are the current Directors.

Category Name and Title
Independent Chair Andrew Gaughan, President and Owner, Long Time Running Investment and Advisory Ltd.
TB Premier Racetrack Katherine Curry, VP Legal and Compliance, Woodbine Entertainment
TB Signature Racetrack Tom Valiquette, Chief Financial Officer, Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium
TB Breeders David Anderson, President, Anderson Farms
TB Horsepeople Sue Leslie, President, Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA) of Ontario
SB Premier Racetrack Bill Ford, Chief Racing Officer and General Counsel, Woodbine Entertainment
SB Signature Racetrack Bruce Barbour, Executive Director, Flamboro Downs & Georgian Downs
SB Grassroots Racetrack Ian Fleming, General Manager Clinton Raceway
SB Breeders Stephen Palermo, President, Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association (SBOA)
SB Horsepeople Bill O'Donnell, President, Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA)
QH Breeders
and Horsepeople Group
Bob Broadstock, President, Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. (QROOI)

Conflict of Interest

All directors sign a Conflict of Interest Policy to ensure integrity in all decision-making processes of the board of directors of Ontario Racing is maintained by ensuring that directors are free from conflict or potential conflict in their decision making.

Conflict of Interest Policy
 

Committees of the Board

In addition to the Ontario Racing Board, the organization has established several committees with leaders from the industry to help advance Ontario Racing's goals.

All committees are chaired by a member of the board, and governed by the Committees of the Board rules

Customer Advisory/New Products, Tech & Revenue

Ian Fleming, Chair
Bruce Barbour
Chris Lush
Lori Shea

Equine Welfare Advisory Committee

Sue Leslie, Chair
Dr. Darryl Bonder
Joanne Colville
Vicki Pappas
Ann Straatman

Executive Committee

Andrew Gaughan, Chair
Katherine Curry
Sue Leslie
Bill O'Donnell

Stakeholder and Government Relations

Andrew Gaughan, Chair
Michael Copeland
Hugh Mitchell

Quarter Horse HIP Administration

Bob Broadstock, Chair
Chantelle Bourgeois
Emilio Trotta

Standardbred HIP Administration

Bill O’Donnell, Chair
Ian Fleming
Bill McLinchey
Tammy McNiven
Stephen Palermo

Thoroughbred HIP Administration

David Anderson, Chair
Bill Ford
Sue Leslie
Tom Valiquette