Grand River Raceway (GRR) has announced on Thursday, March 7 that Jenna MacDonell has been named the new Raceway Manager for the track's upcoming 2024 harness racing season.
With Jamie Martin retiring after the 2022 race season, Chad Rozema was hired to wear the Raceway Manager hat for the 2023 season. Rozema moved on from GRR late last year, but certainly won’t be a stranger to the track in his new role. MacDonell is the first female Raceway Manager for GRR.
MacDonell, the daughter of Hall of Famer Paul MacDonell, brings a lifetime of experience in Standardbred horse racing and a successful career in real estate sales to this role.
She is a fourth-generation horseperson and grew up working with her family's racehorses, learning the ins and outs of racehorse management. This early exposure sparked her passion for the industry.
During her tenure at the University of Guelph and after graduating, MacDonell dedicated five years to various roles at Woodbine Entertainment, including customer service and communication roles. This experience provided her with a strong grasp of the racing sector from the ground up. Beyond her involvement in horse racing, MacDonell has a successful career in the real estate industry. Her career encompasses a variety of skills in client care, marketing, communications and business management, making her an asset to the GRR team.
"I am honoured to assume the position of Raceway Manager at Grand River Raceway, succeeding esteemed predecessors like Dr. Ted Clarke, Jamie Martin and Chad Rozema," said MacDonell. "This year marks a significant milestone with the unveiling of GRR's new five-eighths-mile track. I am eager to bring my passion for the sport alongside my professional experience to what is sure to be an incredible season of racing for our guests and participants."
“Jenna’s skill set will add a fresh perspective to the Grand River Raceway team,” said Isaac Scott, VP, Finance, at Grand River Agricultural Society. “The GRR team looks forward to drawing on her wealth of experience in the horse racing industry as we get ready for an exciting race season with our larger five-eighths-mile track!”
GRR looks forward to MacDonell's leadership and energy as it moves into the 2024 racing season. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 5 for opening night.
(With files from Grand River Raceway)