Bill Ford

Bill Ford has been elected president of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for 2024. Ford has been an executive with Woodbine Entertainment since 2011 and is currently its Chief Racing Officer and General Counsel. He has been a Director of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for the past two years representing Racetracks Canada. Ford succeeds Darryl Kaplan, who held the role of CHRHF president from 2018-2024. Kaplan, currently the President and CEO of Standardbred Canada, maintains his position as a CHRHF Director and is now the...

Woodbine has promoted Tim Lawson and Bill McLinchey to vice president positions, Woodbine Entertainment's Bill Ford, General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Racing, announced Thursday. Lawson has been promoted to Vice President of Thoroughbred Racing and McLinchey has been promoted to Vice President of Standardbred Racing. "Over the last several years, Bill and Tim have been instrumental in the continued growth of our world-class racing programs," Ford said. "Through their leadership, racing knowledge and expertise, we are confident both will make major contributions towards Woodbine being a global leader...

Michael Copeland was unanimously chosen to be the next Chief Executive Officer of Woodbine Entertainment by the company's board of directors. Copeland will take over from Jim Lawson--who announced he would be stepping down earlier this year--effective Oct. 1. Copeland, who is currently President, Commercial, joined Woodbine Entertainment in 2021 after holding various  leadership roles in sports and entertainment, including President and CEO of the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts from 2015 to 2018, and President of the CFL's head office from 2006 to 2015. He has a law degree...