The Board of Directors of the Manitoba Jockey Club, non-profit operators of Assiniboia Downs Racetrack, has elevated current 10-year Director Jeff Goy to the role of interim Chair in light of the recent unexpected passing of Harvey Warner on March 9, 2022.
Jeff, a proud Manitoban, and graduate of the University of Manitoba, is currently President and CEO of Wawanesa Insurance, a position he has held since 2014. He also serves as Chair of Western Financial Group. Jeff previously chaired the 2019 United Way Winnipeg Campaign and the 2019 Board of Governors of the Insurance Institute of Canada. He has served on many insurance industry Boards as well as on the Business Council of Manitoba.
“Horse racing is an important industry in Manitoba that provides this Province with over $100 million in annual economic impacts while employing over 1,000 full-time job equivalents in the tourism and agriculture industries,” noted Goy. “We are still mourning the loss of our dear friend and Board colleague Harvey Warner. We will recognize his achievements and efforts towards our industry during the upcoming 2022 live thoroughbred season that gets underway on May 23. I want to thank my fellow MJC Board members for trusting me with the responsibility to continue in the proud shoes worn by Harvey in this role.”
Jeff has been a part of the horse racing industry in Manitoba in one way or another his entire life. For over 30 years he has owned and raced horses both locally here at Assiniboia Downs and at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. More recently, as the owner of Manitoba based Two Points Ranch, he has developed into one of the largest racehorse breeders in the province. Before joining the MJC Board, from 2006-2012 Jeff volunteered as President of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the representative and negotiating arm for the horse people based out of the backstretch of Assiniboia Downs during a live race season.
“Spring training is underway, foals are being born in Manitoba as we speak, and opening day will soon be upon us with the opportunity to finally welcome back our valued customers in a meaningful way from the outset,” said Goy. “We have an incredibly strong executive management team at Assiniboia Downs with the demonstrated leadership of Darren Dunn, our CEO and Sharon Gulyas, the Vice President of Finance and Gaming. Assiniboia Downs continues to be on very strong footing, measurably growing on a year-over-year basis, while also consistently achieving a significant expansion of our ‘ASD Live’ brand throughout the world.”
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