Honeysuckle Entertainment announced on March 21 the addition of Sovereign Award and Queen’s Plate winner Dan Vella as Horse People’s Liaison. Vella joins Woodbine in this new position after a coaching career spanning several decades, aggregating over 800 wins and $39 million in earnings.
Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment said: “Dan is a much-regarded figure on our bench, he captures the pulse of our racing community. “Having the ability to add someone like Dan, who has been with us for more than 50 years and achieved success at our highest levels, is a huge driver of stakeholder relationships.” ours.”
Leveraging its decades of racing experience, Vella will be the owner and coach’s point of contact for opportunities and feedback on race conditions, track surface issues, Back maintenance, horse safety and race day logistics. Vella will report to the racing director.
Vella said: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work for Woodbine and to continue being involved in the industry and sport has given me so much. “I’ve had the honor of racing all over North America and I can say firsthand that Woodbine is a premier track operator with incredibly passionate and talented riders, all of which contribute to a number of I am truly looking forward to working with the hard working and dedicated management team at Woodbine and having the opportunity to work with riders along the way. I respect and admire.”
Woodbine’s initial introduction to Vella began as a teenager in 1972. Becoming a groom soon after, Vella groomed Count Fabe during the 1973 Canadian International, famous for his wedding. Final race of the Secretariat.
Cutting his teeth on Woodbine’s backseat, Vella eventually embarked on a successful coaching career, working for top bosses like Steve Stavro and Frank Stronach. His first bet win came in 1985 with Bert James in the Sir Barton Stakes.
Vella spent time coaching from 1993 to 1998 for Stronach, mainly racing in the United States. It was during this time that Vella reached the pinnacle of Canadian racing, winning the Queen’s Plate in 1994 with the Basqueian.
Continuing his success at Woodbine during that time period, Vella won the Sovereign Award as Canada’s outstanding coach in 1994 and 1995.
After parting ways with Stronach Stables, Vella remained in the United States before returning to Woodbine in 2003.
In 2012, Vella captured her second Queen’s Sign with Dover Strait.
In recent years, Vella has continued to rake in winning bets at Woodbine. Ratel scored a double bet for him in 2021, winning Coronation Futurity and Queenston Stakes. kid dance Junie brought her last bet win in October to Princess Elizabeth.
Vella was elected to the HBPA board in 2021 for a three-year term. However, he recently resigned from its board.
Vella will begin her new role on April 1.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
