Announcer and Host Commentator

Woodbine Entertainment Group, Inc.; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 102,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodbine Mohawk Park is seeking a seasoned announcer to be the voice of Standardbred racing. You will deliver race calls, provide wagering information, and host industry events, interviews, and features on simulcast and digital platforms.

You must excel at live action, memorization of horse names and silks, and rapid on-air decision making. This is a full-time on-site role requiring strong broadcasting and racing knowledge.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of horse racing.
• Advanced knowledge of wagering and betting.
• Advanced knowledge of handicapping.
• General knowledge of television hosting and production techniques.
• General knowledge of social media usage.
• University or college degree/diploma in Broadcasting or related field.
• Expert memorization skills for race cards and horses.
• Creative and innovative live-action narration.

Responsibilities

• Live-to-air hosting and calling of live horse racing with play-by-play descriptions and official decisions.
• Live and pre-taped interviews for simulcast programming.
• handicapping analysis for on-air and digital platforms.
• On-camera or voice-over hosting for segments and broadcasts.
• Appearances on radio and social media programs delivering information to the public.
• Engage with the betting public and racing industry across multiple media channels.

Skills

Horse racing knowledge

Wagering knowledge

Handicapping knowledge

TV hosting knowledge

Social media knowledge

Broadcast education

Memorization skills

Creative live narration

Education

Broadcasting/Television degree

Job description

A NEW BREED OF ENTERTAINMENT

With almost 150 years of proud horseracing history, Woodbine Entertainment Group is the founding pioneer and largest operator of professional horseracing in Canada.

Building on our rich past, we are surging ahead to the future with an energized, new vision. Today we deliver the most thrilling and highest quality racing, dining and entertainment experiences to our visitors. In doing so, we remain a world-leader in horse-racing — and also among the most exciting and diverse entertainment facilities on the globe.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Broadcasting, this position’s primary responsibility is to be the voice of Standardbred racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Accountabilities include: delivering the race call of each and every race on a racing card, delivering pertinent and appropriate racing and wagering information required for racing fans on-site and watching our simulcast, hosting of industry events as required, handicapping and analysis of races for the purposes of providing wagering opinions to customers, interviewing subjects as required and participating in feature production where needed. This position also acts as an additional host on our simulcast broadcast, working with the existing hosts to handicap and provide nightly commentary on our racing cards. This position may be asked to back-fill as a race-caller on our thoroughbred side from time to time if applicable.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Live-to-air hosting and calling of live horse racing (includes play-by-play descriptions, official decisions and explanations and general info surrounding all of our racing (post parades, minutes to post, official order of finish, lineage for horses, practice training outcomes etc.)

• Live and pre-taped interviews of racing and industry participants for simulcast programming as required

• Analysis and handicapping of Woodbine Mohawk Park’s racing and hosting/delivery of that analysis on-air and for websites and social media as required

• On cameras and/or voice overs for segments as required (live and pre-produced), hosting of racing events as required, appearances/interviews on radio and social media programs as required

• Often required to participate in external broadcast programming (radio shows, podcasts, social media hits) to deliver information to the viewing/listening public

• Regularly engage in conversation with members of the betting public and those within the racing and sports industry (in person, via social media and other media platforms)

SKILLS

Knowledge and Education

• Advanced knowledge of horse racing

• Advanced knowledge of wagering and betting

• Advance knowledge of handicapping

• General knowledge of television hosting and production techniques

• General knowledge of social media usage

• University or college degree/diploma in a field related to Broadcasting, Television or the equivalent in education and experience

• Expert memorization skills

• Memorizing all names of all horses in all races on a live card of racing (this includes memorizing silk colours to recognize horses quickly), there can be over 100 horses on a live card and over 10 races on a live card, all requiring memorization to deliver an accurate, exciting and descriptive race call

• Need to have an extremely creative and innovative mindset to take live action as it happens and describe in detail what is happening to the public as it unfolds in an exciting and interesting way

Lived Experience

• Previous experience in Standardbred or Thoroughbred racing

• Previous experience in a sports environment with a focus on announcing or on-air hosting

• Working in horse racing in some capacity with a passion for journalism, communication or broadcasting

• Must have the ability to react instantly to a live race, describing that instant action live as it happens and unfolds on-the-fly

• Live handicapping – studying wagering data, analytics, past race data, horse body language all to help in their description of the action and help deliver the best information possible

• Live-to-air, on-the-fly decision making surrounding information to deliver to the public

• Dealing with live-to-air, on-the-fly technical issues with broadcast equipment (microphones, IFB’s etc.)

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Normal outdoor racetrack environment where there may be temperatures/weather to adjust to, crowd noise to deal
• High stress dealing with live television production and describing the action live-to-air
• Regular interruptions, multiple demands and time pressure
• Standardbred Product – working all nights with few day shifts
• Thoroughbred Product – working both days of the weekend with no weekends off April – December unless requested as vacation
• Ability to drive to our other track location

Reason for Vacancy: Replacement

Salary range: The target hiring salary range for this position is$102,000 to $112,000 CAD. This range is not a guarantee of compensation. Final placement within the range depends on factors such as internal equity, market conditions, and the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

We use AI-powered resume screening software to help identify qualified candidates based on the criteria in this job posting. All applications prioritized by the system are subsequently reviewed by our hiring team to ensure a fair and human-centered selection process

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Be Yourself.

We believe differences should be valued and celebrated. By building diverse and inclusive teams, we strive to provide a more authentic and empowering work experience that unlocks the potential of our people. Regardless of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, we believe everyone has the right to express their ideas, ambitions, and pursue their goals with confidence and integrity. Diversity breeds innovation. We want people to think differently. Our commitment is to build a culture that welcomes everyone and leverages their unique perspectives to be a great entertainment company that shares the thrill of horseracing experiences with the world.