The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (CHRHF) announced on Wednesday, May 8 the election of Bill Ford as President for 2024.
Ford, an executive with Woodbine Entertainment since 2011, and currently the Chief Racing Officer and General Counsel, has been a Director of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for the past two years representing Racetracks Canada. Previous to his time at Woodbine Entertainment, he was a General Counsel and Secretary for Magna Entertainment, a predecessor of The Stronach Group, from 2003 to 2010.
Among the Boards and Committees Ford has sat on during his 20 plus years in racing are the Board of Directors of Racetracks Canada, the industry association representing all horse racing tracks in the country, including as Chair from 2013 to 2022, and he is currently a Director of Ontario Racing.
Ford fills the position of President of the CHRHF following Darryl Kaplan, who held the role from 2018 to 2024. Kaplan, currently the President and CEO of Standardbred Canada, maintains his position as a CHRHF Director and is now the Vice-President of the CHRHF.
“I am very honoured and excited to take on this new role with the CHRHF," said Ford. "The Hall is an important part of the fabric of the Canadian horse racing industry and the place to recognize the men, women and equine athletes who have contributed so much to the industry.
“I would also like to thank and recognize the amazing contribution of Darryl throughout his years of leadership, and I look forward to working with him moving forward,” he added.
Other changes to the Board of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall include the departure of Director Peter Berringer, who represented Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) National, a position that will now be filled by Dave Pihl, of CTHS National. Additionally, John Hind of the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) will replace Jackson Wittup, also from ASHA.
The CHRHF thanks the above individuals who depart the Board for their commitment and input to the Hall over their time spent with the organization.
The current Directors for the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame are listed below:
- Veronica Attard - Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association Ontario
- Jim Bannon - Director-at-Large
- Jamie Demetrick - Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society
- Bill Ford (President) - Racetracks Canada
- Daren Gomez – Jockey’s Benefit Association Canada
- John Hind - Alberta Standardbred Horse Association
- Darryl Kaplan (Vice-President) - Standardbred Canada
- Sue Leslie - Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association Ontario
- Bill McLinchey - Racetracks Canada
- Bill O’Donnell - Central Ontario Standardbred Association
- Dave Pihl - Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society
- Andrea Rennison - Standardbred Canada
- John Stapleton - Director-at-Large
Founded in 1976, the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is a registered charity with a mission to honour and preserve the history and majesty of horse racing in Canada, by celebrating and bestowing recognition for excellence achieved by those who have significantly contributed to horse racing in Canada, a sport with a legacy of over 250 years.
(Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame)