Woodbine takes fans Beyond the Track in new video series

December 9, 2025

TORONTO, December 9, 2025— Horse racing is brought to life by the people whose passion, dedication, and love for horses shape every moment on and off the track. As part of Woodbine Cares: For the Love of the Horse Racing Community, Woodbine Entertainment has launched Beyond the Track, a video series that highlights the individuals and programs that form the heart of Woodbine’s racing community. Throughout the 2025 season, the series has taken fans behind the scenes to share authentic stories of the people who make racing meaningful.

The newest episode spotlights track announcer Robert Geller, who has been the voice of Woodbine since 2015. Born in England and raised in Australia, Geller reflects on the privilege and responsibility of calling races, sharing insights into the craft and the spontaneity that brings each moment to life.

“So much of being able to bring the race call to life is being connected to the experience, and that connection doesn't always happen instantly. It's the thrill of the race that allows you to sort of discover something,” Geller explains. “I remember the Alywow stakes years ago as they went to the wire, I said the horse put the ‘wow’ in the Alywow. I didn't even know what I was saying and I was so happy with that.”

Watch Robert Geller’s episode on YouTube here.

Earlier installments of Beyond the Track highlight the everyday experiences and extraordinary commitment of the people who form the backbone of Woodbine.

The first episode features groom Alexa Wisnoski, offering a heartfelt look at life on the backstretch and the passion that led her to pursue a career working hands-on with horses.

“This has to be in my blood. I’ve wanted to do this since I was a kid,” Wisnoski says. “I am very lucky that I get to say I get to work with horses all day and that it’s my job.”

Watch Groom Alexa Wisnoski’s episode on YouTube here.

The second episode explores the Woodbine Cares Community Garden, a 20,000-square-foot vegetable garden adjacent to the racetrack. Woodbine’s Manager of Stabling, Tamera Dadswell, shares the impact of providing fresh, weekly produce to the backstretch community.

“[Our backstretch community] has so much passion and love for the horses,” Dadswell explains. “So because they work so hard, it’s just a little piece that hopefully we can give back to them to say ‘thank you for what you do.’”

Watch the Community Garden episode on YouTube here.

In the third episode, Woodbine CEO Michael Copeland visits the Hillsburgh, Ontario farm of the LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, where chair and co-founder Vicki Pappas discusses the organization’s dedication to providing former racehorses with loving homes and second careers.

“To see [the horses] here after having given so much to racing, and for us to be able to give a little bit back to them is a wonderful opportunity,” Copeland shares.

Watch the LongRun episode on YouTube here.

Grounded in the values of Woodbine Cares: For the Love of the Horse Racing Community, the Beyond the Track series celebrates the people and programs that enrich the racing community and offers fans a deeper appreciation of the passion, care, and purpose that extend far beyond the Woodbine finish line.

Additional episodes will be released in the new year.