It is with pleasure that Claude Lévesque, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Quebec Jockey Club, announced Friday an important appointment for the future of the Quebec Jockey Club, an appointment to a position left vacant in recent years - the post of general manager.
To avoid any confusion, it should be clarified right away that this is not a position for the Hippodrome 3R racetrack, but an appointment as general manager of the Quebec Club Jockey.
Appointed to the position is François-Patrick Allard.
“Mr. Allard is a seasoned manager who has a solid knowledge of games of chance and gambling,” Levesque said. “Having worked at Loto-Québec for 21 years, as general marketing director of the Société des establishements de jeux du Québec (SEJQ) which manages the VLT park and gaming rooms across the province. He was also general manager of the Société des bingos du Québec as well as in various management positions within the Société des casinos du Québec, particularly in loyalty and business intelligence.
“The main task entrusted to Mr. Allard,” Levesque stated. “Will be to work to develop and materialize a revenue growth plan for betting houses and online gambling by working in concert with partners, regulators and owners of the salons betting in Quebec in order to maximize spin offs for the horse racing industry."
Mr. Allard will take office on July 12.
In racing action on Friday at H3R, Fancy Girl ($9.10) and owner-driver Francis Picard led from start to finish in the eighth race Fillies and Mares Preferred-Handicap Pace.
The five-year-old mare by Westwardho Hanover covered the one-mile race in a lifetime best 1:56.3 for her second win this year for owner-trainer Dominique Picard.
In the two-year-old pace, the 1-9 favourite, Ritchie Alpha ($2.30) also led from start to finish for driver Pascal Berube, winning with ease by two lengths in a lifetime best 2:02 over Le Massif (Pierre-Luc Roy) and D Gs Shallow (Jonathan Lachance).
The Shanghai Phil colt was bred and is owned and trained by Sylvain Tremblay’s Alpha Stable.
The tenth race was declared a no contest and all funds returned after confusion with breaking horses at the start.
(Quebec Jockey Club)