Jim Bannon

Editor of the Woodbine Journal, a daily analysis of the racing card’s at Woodbine Ractrack, Bannon has enjoyed a 35-year career in broadcasting.

A staple at the track, he’s worked as a guest analyst for CBC Television, covering the Queen’s Plate, and is a director of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Bannon is also an esteemed educator, having hosted hundreds of seminars across North America on handicapping horses, and having taught the Canadian Racing Officials Course for Thoroughbred racing officials at Humber College.

Dan Loiselle

Dan Loiselle’s illustrious career as the voice of Canadian thoroughbred racing at Woodbine Racetrack is marked by passion, dedication, and a deep-rooted love for the sport.

Growing up with Woodbine as a family affair, Loiselle’s childhood was intertwined with the racetrack, where his parents and grandparents played integral roles. His early exposure to racing fueled his passion for calling races, a dream he pursued relentlessly, seeking guidance from seasoned announcers and honing his craft from a young age.

Joining the Ontario Jockey Club in 1967, Loiselle embarked on a career that would span nearly five decades, transitioning from chart caller and paddock judge in the harness division to become the revered voice of thoroughbred racing at Woodbine. His debut as a thoroughbred race caller in 1986 marked the beginning of an illustrious tenure characterized by clarity, accuracy, and his signature style, which endeared him to fans and participants alike.

Throughout his tenure, Loiselle’s voice became synonymous with the excitement and drama of horse racing, enriching the experience for spectators and participants alike. His infectious enthusiasm and witty commentary elevated each race, capturing the essence of every thrilling moment on the track.

Beyond his contributions in the announcer’s booth, Loiselle’s impact extended into the broader racing community, where he became a respected figure and ambassador for the sport. His professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment to excellence earned him admiration and acclaim from peers and fans worldwide.

Retiring after 29 years as the voice of Woodbine, Loiselle’s departure was met with an outpouring of affection and appreciation from those whose lives he had touched. His legacy endures as a testament to his passion for racing and his enduring contribution to Canadian sports culture.

Inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame, Loiselle’s remarkable career is celebrated as a testament to perseverance, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence. His journey from a young racing enthusiast to a legendary announcer is a source of inspiration for future generations and a fitting tribute to a lifetime devoted to the sport he loves.

Avelino Gomez

A proud statue of Avelino Gomez stands at the front of Woodbine Racetrack, a fitting tribute to one of thoroughbred racing’s greats. Gomez, who began racing a the age of 14 at the urging of an uncle won his first major race in 1944 and captured his first headlines as a jockey by riding six winners in an afternoon at Ascot park in Ohio. But it was 12 years later, after resettling his family to Etobicoke, when “El Perfecto” began his formative years in the sport.

Gomez won a total of 4,078 races during his brilliant career, mostly out of Etobicoke’s Woodbine Racetrack, and was Canada’s top race winning jockey in 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964 and 1966. He was selected top rider in North America in 1956. He won the Queen’s Plate on four occasions.

“Never, in the history of Canadian racing, has there ever been another jockey who, through the sheer overpowering magic of his personality, dominated thoroughbred racing for 25 years” wrote famed Toronto sports columnist Jim Coleman in 1980.

Avelino Gomez was inducted into the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame in 1978, the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in 1982, and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. He also won the coveted Sovereign Award of Merit for his contributions to the sport in 1978.

Tragically, during the running of the Canadian Oakes Stakes at Woodbine in 1980, Gomez died following a three horse accident.

In 1984 friends established the Avelino Gomez Foundation, to aid hardship cases within the racing community. In addition, each year on the anniversary of the Canadian Oakes, the Avelino Gomez Memorial Trophy is awarded to a Canadian jockey who has made a significant contribution to thoroughbred racing.