It is with profound and deep sadness that Assiniboia Downs is sharing the news of the unexpected passing today of our Board Chair Harvey Warner.
The contributions he made to the horse racing industry in both Manitoba and Canada were immense and will leave a lasting impact on the sport forever.
Harvey was one of the original architects of the non-profit Manitoba Jockey Club (MJC) in 1993, rescuing Assiniboia Downs and the horse racing industry from the bankruptcy situation of the former private owner Jim Wright.
A lifelong lover of horses and participant in the industry, both in a horse ownership and industry leadership capacity, before assuming his role on the MJC Board, Harvey previously lead the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association as their President. In 1989, Harvey, along with his stable co-owners, achieved the pinnacle result on the racetrack at Assiniboia Downs by winning the 1989 Manitoba Derby with a horse named Rough Catch.
A recent testament to the contributions that Harvey made to the sport of horse racing was his national recognition in 2020 of a special Sovereign Award.
Our condolences are with his wife Edie, their daughters Sheri and Michelle, and their families.
