Grand River Raceway (GRR) revealed on Thursday, March 7 that the new Raceway Manager for the upcoming 2024 harness racing season has been appointed. Following Jamie Martin's retirement post the 2022 race season, Chad Rozema assumed the Raceway Manager role for the 2023 season. Rozema departed from GRR towards the end of last year but will still be a familiar face at the track in his new capacity. This transition sees MacDonell becoming the inaugural female Raceway Manager at GRR.
The daughter of Hall of Famer Paul MacDonell, MacDonell brings a wealth of experience in Standardbred horse racing and a flourishing career in real estate sales to this position. As a fourth-generation horseperson, she grew up actively participating in her family's racehorses, gaining extensive knowledge in racehorse management. Her early immersion ignited her passion for the industry.
Throughout her tenure at the University of Guelph and post-graduation, MacDonell dedicated five years to diverse roles at Woodbine Entertainment, encompassing customer service and communication responsibilities. This background equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the racing sector from its grassroots.
Alongside her engagement in horse racing, MacDonell has excelled in the real estate domain, showcasing a diverse skill set in client care, marketing, communications, and business management, rendering her a valuable addition to the GRR team.
Assuming the position of Raceway Manager at Grand River Raceway, MacDonell expressed her honour in succeeding esteemed predecessors like Dr. Ted Clarke, Jamie Martin, and Chad Rozema. She eagerly anticipates the forthcoming season with the grand unveiling of GRR's new five-eighths-mile track, aiming to blend her passion for the sport with her professional acumen for an exceptional racing season for patrons and participants alike.
Isaac Scott, VP, Finance, at Grand River Agricultural Society, commended MacDonell's diverse skill set, noting that her expertise in the horse racing industry will offer a fresh outlook to the Grand River Raceway team. The team is enthusiastic about leveraging her experience as they prepare for an exciting race season on the expanded five-eighths-mile track.
As GRR embarks on the 2024 racing season, they eagerly anticipate MacDonell's leadership and dynamism. Save the date for Wednesday, June 5, for the opening night of what promises to be a thrilling season of racing.