Robert Geller will succeed Dan Loiselle as Woodbine's Thoroughbred race caller effective June 13, it was announced yesterday. Geller has called the races at Emerald Downs Racetrack in Washington State since 1996.
“Woodbine Entertainment Group has been blessed with the distinctive tones of Dan Loiselle, truly the voice of Canadian racing, for nearly three decades. With the addition of Robert Geller, an Englishman by way of Australia, we add a new and exciting accent to accompany our races,” said Jim Lawson, WEG's Chief Executive Officer. “Robert is a seasoned race caller, with a wealth of international experience having called races in Australia and Hong Kong, and we are delighted he has chosen to bring his unique talents to Canada. We warmly welcome Robert to the Woodbine Entertainment Group family.”
The 55-year-old Geller, born in Birmingham, England, emigrated to Melbourne, Australia with his family as a young child and regularly attended the races there. Geller pursued his passion for race calling on the weekends while working as a speech, and took his first official announcing job at Wangaratta in Victoria in 1984. He soon took on positions at more local tracks before becoming the English-speaking race caller for the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1989. After 6 1/2 years in Hong Kong, Geller moved on to Emerald Downs for that track's inaugural season. Geller has also been the announcer at Sunland Park in New Mexico since its 2000-2001 season, and will continue serving in that capacity.
“Ever since my first visit to Toronto in 1993 when I saw Peteski win The Queen's Plate, I have felt an affinity for the track and the city,” offered Geller. “To be asked to follow on from Dan Loiselle as the next voice of Woodbine is an honour. I am especially excited to call turf races again. I look forward to bringing my years of experience to such a world-renowned track and to build on the skills that I have developed through both Emerald Downs and Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, as a new member of its dynamic broadcast team.”
Loiselle, who began working for Woodbine–then known as the Ontario Jockey Club–in 1967, will make his final call May 31. Woodbine racing analyst Dawn Lupul and back-up announcer Greg Blanchard will fill his role before Geller takes over.
“Robert is an elite announcer and a class act, and I wish him the very best,” Loiselle said. “It has been an absolute honour for me to announce Canada's greatest races, and I am confident Robert will be embraced by Canadian racing fans, and will find a tremendous following in this country.”
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