Sophie Mongeon has been appointed President of the Board of Directors of the Quebec Jockey Club (QJC). She is the first woman to hold this position since the creation of the QJC in 2009.
Mongeon is no stranger to the racing industry, being the daughter of Andréa Filion of the well-known Filion family and Dr. Réjean Mongeon, a veterinarian who got his start at Blue Bonnets Raceway. Sophie Mongeon has been at the forefront of the QJC over the past 18 months and her dynamic presence has quickly become apparent.
Claude Lévesque, the president of the QJC for the past seven years, leaves his role with a sense of accomplishment. It was an immense task, but one to which he devoted several hours of his time daily. Lévesque has left a mark with his long involvement on the organization's board. His vast knowledge of the environment and his experience at many levels, especially as an owner and breeder, have greatly contributed to the growth of the industry during his mandate.
"With the appointment of Mongeon, we can expect a person who listens to people in the industry and is well aware of what horsepeople are going through, having spent her youth on a farm," said the QJC in a statement. "Her experience as the owner of her law firm for more than 25 years, representing accident victims, workers and victims with large companies or government authorities, will be an asset.
"She is not afraid to advocate for causes that are close to her heart; there is no doubt that her goal is to promote our industry as a flagship of sports activity in Quebec.
"Her experience on the airwaves of 91.9 Sports/BPM Sports, her media interventions on current affairs and her knowledge of social networks ensure that she will bring freshness and fresh eyes to what is happening in this industry that is too little known and too little publicized.
"From her own lips, she welcomes this appointment with humility, but also with joy and pride, well aware of everyone's expectations. We can only wish her the best of luck and the most fruitful of mandates."
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)