Horse Racing
Woodbine hires Dan Vella as Horse People Liaison
2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 12:39 PM CDTTORONTO - Woodbine Entertainment has hired longtime trainer Dan Vella as its Horse People Liaison.
Vella will assume his new position April 1. He'll serve as point of contact for owners and trainers regarding race conditions, track surface matters, backstretch maintenance, equine safety and race-day logistics.
The 67-year-old amassed more than 800 career wins and $39 million in earnings over five decades as a conditioner.
"I am so excited to have this opportunity to work for Woodbine and continue to be involved in the industry and sport that has given me so much," Vella said in a statement released Tuesday. "I have had the privilege of racing throughout North America and I can say firsthand that Woodbine is a top racetrack operator that has incredibly passionate and talented horse people — all of which contributes to some of the best thoroughbred racing on the continent."
Advertisement
Weather


Winnipeg MB
-8°C, Light snow

Canadian International returns to Woodbine in 2023
2 minute read Preview Tuesday, Mar. 7, 2023Williams nominated for Sovereign Award
2 minute read Preview Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023John Veitch, trainer of Triple Crown runner-up Alydar, dies
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023Burt Bacharach was a hit at the racetrack, too
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023Legendary Downs trainers named to Indigenous athletics hall of Fame
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023Trainer Jason Servis pleads guilty to drugging his horses
3 minute read Preview Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022Unbeaten Flightline retires, will begin breeding career
4 minute read Preview Monday, Nov. 7, 2022Queen’s Plate winner Moira faces challenge in Breeders’ Cup race
5 minute read Preview Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022Flightline heads Breeders’ Cup Classic; Baffert back in Ky
4 minute read Preview Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022A season to remember at Assiniboia Downs
5 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 30, 2022Royal silks return as King Charles III’s horse finishes 2nd
1 minute read Preview Thursday, Sep. 29, 2022Royal silks back in British horse racing after queen’s death
2 minute read Preview Tuesday, Sep. 27, 2022LONDON (AP) — The famous royal silks are returning to British horse racing for the first time since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Taking to the track under the ownership of the queen's heir, King Charles III, Educator will don the purple, red and gold silks for a race at Salisbury on Thursday.
Educator will be the first horse in those colors since Improvise was beaten narrowly at Epsom on Sept. 8 — the same day the queen died at her Balmoral estate in Scotland.
Tom Marquand, who will ride Educator, said he will have mixed feelings.
Thrill of victory beats a fistful of dollars
4 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 23, 2022Assiniboia Downs’ top jockey could sweep final three open stakes races
4 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 16, 2022Hidden Grace and Melisandre make history running 1-2 in stakes race
5 minute read Preview Friday, Sep. 9, 2022It’s easy to love a horse with heart
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Sep. 3, 2022Jackpots hit on and off the track
5 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 26, 2022Last chance to buy Going Commando yearling
5 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 19, 2022Preakness-winning trainer charged in domestic violence case
2 minute read Preview Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022Five-year-old winner of Phil Kives Trial the epitome of class
4 minute read Preview Friday, Aug. 12, 2022Enthusiasm carries the day
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022Red Knobs runs to Derby glory
2 minute read Preview Saturday, Aug. 6, 202274th running of Manitoba Derby tough to pick
5 minute read Preview Saturday, Jul. 30, 2022Controversial race and ruling taint Assiniboia Downs
6 minute read Preview Friday, Jul. 29, 2022LOAD MORE