Woodbine’s Dan Loiselle to Retire in May

Woodbine track announcer Dan Loiselle will call his last race at that track May 31, 2015 after 29 years as a Thoroughbred race caller. A Scarborough, Ontario native, Loiselle started as an assistant race secretary in the Standardbred division and backup announcer back when Woodbine was called the Ontario Jockey Club Aug. 1, 1967. After 17 years announcing Standardbreds, he made the successful switch to Thoroughbreds July 23, 1986 and has been at it ever since. 

“It’s been an absolute privilege to announce some of Canada’s greatest races,” said Loiselle. “My family and I owe everything we have to horse racing. I want to thank the racing fans for all the kind things they have said to me over the years, my fellow employees at Woodbine Entertainment and the horse people. We are family here at Woodbine and I have formed friendships that will last a lifetime.” 

During Loiselle’s long tenure as the voice of Canadian horse racing, he called five Canadian Triple Crown champions–With Approval (Caro {Ire}) (1989), Izvestia (Icecapade) (1990), Dance Smartly (Danzig) (1990), Peteski (Affirmed) (1993) and Wando (Langfuhr) (2003). More recently, Loiselle called Wise Dan (Wiseman’s Ferry)’s second G1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile triumph. 

“The name Dan Loiselle is synonymous with Woodbine Racetrack,” said Nick Eaves, Woodbine’s President and CEO. “Wherever I travel in North America, racing customers and industry players alike instantly ask about Danny and recount one of his many memorable calls. His distinctive voice and ability to build a race call such that we are all hanging off every word separates him from the rest. Beyond being one of the industry’s very best race callers, Danny is a wonderful human being, always putting others ahead of himself.” 

Loiselle has already accumulated more than 55,000 race calls and some big race days across the continent including Belmont Park (twice), Churchill Downs, Arlington Park and Monmouth Park. He has also been master of ceremonies at many functions including the Sovereign Awards. 

Added Eaves, “His loyalty to the company and his proud promotion of it at every opportunity make him one of the rare few. Woodbine has benefitted immeasurably from Danny’s 47 years of dedicated service. It would be difficult to argue that he hasn’t earned his retirement, however his presence will be missed by the entire racing community. Although, everyone who knows Danny knows full well that we will still be hearing from him, just in a different way.” 

“It just feels like the right time,” concluded Loiselle. “In 2015, I’ll have worked at Woodbine Entertainment for 48 years. It’s time for my family and myself to enjoy our summers, travel this great country of ours, and enjoy some time at the cottage.”