Ontario Racing Management (ORM) has announced the appointment of Gordon Thain as its new executive director.

Thain, who has spent the last six years working at Woodbine Entertainment in various capacities, becomes ORM’s third executive director, succeeding Jonathan Zammit, who held the position since 2020.

“We are excited to have Gord join the Ontario Racing Management team as Executive Director,” said John Hayes, Independent Chair, Ontario Racing. “Gord’s experience in stakeholder engagement and strategic communications will serve Ontario Racing well as we continue our efforts to build our sport and serve all industry participants.”

ORM is a wholly-owned Woodbine Entertainment subsidiary that implements the approved business plan of Ontario Racing’s Board of Directors.

Thain was most recently the Senior Manager of Communications for Woodbine Entertainment, where he focused on stakeholder engagement and strategic internal communications. Thain joined Woodbine Entertainment in 2015 and has contributed to areas in human resources, government relations, and corporate communications.

Prior to joining Woodbine Entertainment, Thain honed his marketing and communications abilities in the art industry after spending five years developing communications and stakeholder relations skills for the not-for-profit Ontario Basketball Association.

Zammit, who joined Woodbine Entertainment as the vice president of Thoroughbred Racing in 2017, resigned from his position as Executive Director to pursue a new opportunity outside of the horse racing industry.

“On behalf of the industry, I would like to thank Jonathan for his year of service as Executive Director,” Hayes said. “The last year and half has been a difficult period for horse racing in Ontario and Jonathan’s leadership and efforts were greatly appreciated by the industry. We wish him luck as he pursues a new opportunity.”

Thain starts his role as ORM’s new Executive Director on Monday, Aug. 23.

(With files from Ontario Racing)