On Friday (Aug. 30), the Board of Directors of Ontario Racing (OR) announced that David Anderson has joined its Board in the role of representative for Thoroughbred breeders.
Anderson brings a wealth of success and expertise in the horse racing industry to his role, with long-standing achievements in both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred worlds.
The son of late Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Robert (Bob) Anderson, David, upon graduating from school, started designing sporting goods, branding his Tipperary line for the equestrian industry. Expanding into safety equipment for the rodeo market with Phoenix Performance Products, his products are recognized worldwide.
In early 2000, Anderson ran the highly regarded and successful Standardbred division of Anderson Farms Ontario Inc. until his father passed away in 2010, and the decision was made to refocus on Thoroughbreds.
Anderson Farms is a world-class commercial breeding operation, selling 20 or more yearlings each year at major Canadian and United States horse sales. Anderson bred Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes heroine, and Canada's Horse of the Year champion in 2018, Wonder Gadot, one example of the high-class horses he’s bred that have gone to on to greatness on the world stage.
He occasionally owns a few horses, including emerging star Keep On Truckin, a two-year-old son of Society’s Chairman who has dominated in his first two starts.
“I feel that we need a voice for all breeders, big and small,” said Anderson. “I am honoured that they (OR Board) considered me for the position, and I look forward to bringing my passion and commitment to horse racing to the table.”
Including Anderson, there are 10 seats, five from industry associations and five from racetracks, on Ontario Racing’s Board of Directors. John Hayes is the Independent Chair of Ontario Racing.
Bill O’Donnell (President, COSA, on behalf of Standardbred Horsepeople), Sue Leslie (President, HBPA, on behalf of Thoroughbred Horsepeople), Bob Broadstock (President, Quarter Horse Racing Owners of Ontario, on behalf of Quarter Horse Horsepeople), Walter Parkinson (President, SBOA, on behalf of Standardbred Breeders) and Anderson represent the Associations on the board.
Jim Lawson (CEO, Woodbine Entertainment, on behalf of Premier Thoroughbred Racetracks), Jim Thibert (CEO, Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium, on behalf of Signature Thoroughbred Racetracks), Jessica Buckley (President, Woodbine Mohawk Park, on behalf of Premier Standardbred Racetracks), Bruce Barbour (Executive Director, Great Canadian Gaming, on behalf of Signature Standardbred Racetracks) and Ian Fleming (General Manager, Clinton Raceway, on behalf of Grassroots Standardbred Racetracks) represent the racetracks.
“Ontario Racing Management (ORM) is thrilled to have David join the OR Board, someone who has a great passion for and a thorough understanding of Thoroughbred breeding, along with a dedication to help build a long-term framework for success for Ontario’s horse racing industry,” said Katherine Curry, Executive Director, ORM.
(Ontario Racing)