After 40 years of dedication and critical contributions, racing secretary Scott McKelvie has announced that he will retire from Woodbine Entertainment on March 31, 2022.
McKelvie joined the then-named Ontario Jockey Club in 1981, working his way up to take leadership of the race office, and has served as the longtime racing secretary of Greenwood, Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk Park since 1992.
Through his time at Woodbine, McKelvie has been influential in creating a competitive year-round racing product and establishing Woodbine’s prolific stakes program, including proudly working on all 37 editions of the Pepsi North America Cup.
McKelvie has been a key industry leader throughout his career, contributing to various boards and committees. He is a past president and current director of the American Harness Racing Secretaries Association and a current vice-president of the Grand Circuit.
"I’m proud to have spent the last 40 years with Woodbine," said McKelvie. "It has been an outstanding place to work. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their efforts, support and friendship during my career. The racing industry is a great community and I’m proud to have met and connected with many wonderful people over the years, including the horsemen and women that I’ve worked closely with on a day-to-day basis."
"Scott’s imprint on Standardbred racing in North America has been immense. We appreciate his great devotion to our sport, his professionalism and great expertise which has helped establish Woodbine Mohawk Park at the top,” remarked Jessica Buckley, senior vice president of Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing. “In addition to his expertise, Scott’s steady, kind way with people will be greatly missed day to day. All of us at Woodbine Entertainment wish to say 'thank you' to Scott and we wish him a wonderful retirement."
Scott will continue to lead the race office until his retirement at the end of March 2022 and provide contributions to Woodbine’s Standardbred operation in the future.
(Woodbine)
I would like to say I'm in
I would like to say I'm in total agreement with the sentiments expressed by Terry. Those were some of the best days I've had in or out of racing. I would personally like to give a long overdue thank-you for the knowledge, wisdom and importance of integrity I learned from Scott.
p.s. I've needed another wild Wednesday for a long time now.
#BestRoadTripsEver
Well deserved Maple Leaf Fan.
Well deserved Maple Leaf Fan. All the best in retirement. You will be missed.
My goodness, how life flies
My goodness, how life flies by. You have definitely earned it, staying in position of racing secretary for that long shows how much devotion and integrity you've always have had. Always showed incredible fairness to both racing participates and employees alike. Working with you at the OJC/WEG will be memories that I will cherish forever. The times working with you, Dave Gilders, Rob MacKay and so many others will never be forgotten, they where for sure the "best times" of my time in the harness racing industry. Enjoy life, you deserve it.
Good for you Scott this
Good for you Scott this retirement is well deserved you have always been one of the good Guys maybe now you can take hockey back up as one of your past times. Congratulations Sonny
Enjoy your well deserved
Enjoy your well deserved retirement Scott. I can't believe where the years have gone. Seems like just yesterday that your dad and my cousin Jack were racing Kelly Todd and others on the OJC but that was the late sixties!
As an owner you could always
As an owner you could always talk to Scott in a straight forward manner.
He was always approachable and helpful.
Is Lori far behind? I don't see him spending all his time alone lol.
Congratulations Scott. Well
Congratulations Scott. Well deserved. Enjoy!
Scott McKelvie WOW! Looking
Scott McKelvie WOW! Looking good you must have started when you were 2. One of the nicest most helpful people in all the racing world. Congratulations my friend much deserved.