Page 8 - January 2007 The Game

8 The Game, January 2007 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
Let Youth Be Served:
Nick Eaves, President of Woodbine Entertainment Group
Horse Racing Puts its Faith on the Shoulders of The Young and Dynamic
It’s not quite as revolutionary as inviting yearlings to run in the Queen’s Plate, but in the last few months, there has been a remarkable youth movement on the Ontario Racing Scene.
With very little media reaction (and virtually no fanfare), Nick Eaves has been named President of Woodbine Entertainment. Eaves is just 38 and gets the full blessing of Chairman David
Willmot, even though the new President was foaled a full 5 years after E.P. Taylor’s Northern Dancer fired through the Woodbine stretch.
Eaves, of course, shrugs off the issue of his age, saying that fresh blood is what will drive the racing industry into the future.
“I think what we want to do is strike a balance between innovative thought and the positive tradition that we’ve had here for so many years,” he says.
Eaves has been with the Woodbine Entertainment Group for nearly 13 years and points to a myriad of assignments that have prepared him for the view from the top.
“I’ve been involved with the offtrack side of this industry to the marketing side to the business side and the operating side as well,” he points out, “I’ve had a real range of experience at Woodbine.”
As senior V.P, Eaves was in charge of several operating departments including
food and beverage, property services, security, broadcasting, marketing, and media relations. Those endeavours will remain in good hands.
“Andrew McDonald has been responsible for the broadcasting departments,” says Eaves, “He has shifted from the business side to the communications side and works closely with Dave Naylor and Glenn Crouter and their crews and with Ann Scott in the marketing department. Back in March, we consolidated all those departments under Eddie Stutz.”
As the new President, Eaves sees spectacular possibilities.
“You look at the excitement of the core product,” he says in a voice full of animation, “Combined with our ability to incorporate technology and the property that we own, these are great assets to have available to us.”
Asked to distill his energy into two directions, Eaves identifies a couple of pressing issues.
“The real focus for 2007 is to deliver some top line growth,” he says, “The last couple of years, we have seen an erosion to our core business with the abundance of illegal competition. We now have a more competitive environment.”
Eaves is also the point man now on WoodbineLive! -the huge project that will turn a major part of the track property into a town-hall-type shopping and entertainment area. In late spring of 2005, WoodbineLive! was introduced as a $300 million undertaking. It’s closer to a billion dollars now.
“The reason the project is growing is because of interest- ed tenants,” he says, “The demand is very high in terms of the location.”
With several companies trying to jump on the WoodbineLive! bandwagon, WEG has to apply for rezoning. Eaves says the actual construction might start in early 2008.
WILL HE CROW Tethra - True Black, by Little Missouri
MSW Winner of $170,459
Third in 2004 Queen’s Plate
His promising career was cut short due to a collision with a loose horse while training.
• Great Stride • Strong Build • Excellent Disposition
• 16.3hh
Already booked for 2007 mares by, Sadler’s Wells,Valid Wager, Crown Attorney & Farm Away
2007 fee: $3500 live foal
NOMINATED
ART UNDER SADDLE
Belwood, ON Angela Zbeetnoff-Piscioneri 519-843-6133