Saturday, April 19, 2025
6:00 pm
Century Downs Racetrack and Casino
Annual General Meeting - 2026
Saturday, April 11
GET YOUR ASHA MEMBERSHIP TO BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE
ASHA Board of Directors – Open Positions
President (two-year term) – Outgoing: Bret Litke
Vice President (two-year term) – Outgoing: Jamie Gray
Breeders Chair (two-year term) – Outgoing: Bill Andrew
Owners Chair (two-year term) – Outgoing: Derek Stout
Director (One-Year Term) – Outgoing: Dave Kelly
Director (Two-Year Term) – Outgoing: Jackson Wittup
Director (Two-Year Term) – Outgoing: Logan Gillis
Director (Two-Year Term) – Outgoing: JF Gagne
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BREEDERS COMMITTE OPEN POSITIONS
Breeders Committee (Three-Year Term) – Outgoing: Donna Wyse
Breeders Committee (Three-Year Term) – Outgoing: Shawna Griffin
Breeders Committee (Three-Year Term) – Outgoing: Carl Archibald
Interested In Running for a Position?
Send your bio via email to nancy@asha.ab.ca
If you are interested in running for any open position, but cannot attend in person, please notify Nancy Retzlaff at nancy@asha.ab.ca or 780-678-6828. Elections will be held at the AGM on April 11th at Century Downs.
2026 Board Candidates
BLAIR CORBEIL – PRESIDENT CANDIDATE
Blair Corbeil brings over 30 years of experience, leadership, and passion to Alberta’s Standardbred industry. A lifelong horseman and respected business leader, he is known for his integrity, strong relationships, and forward-thinking approach both on and off the track. Based in Leduc, Alberta, Blair is the President and Owner of Superior Buildings, where he leads a successful construction company. His business acumen, strategic mindset, and ability to build partnerships position him well to help guide ASHA into the future. He also maintains strong relationships with government and Horse Racing Alberta, ensuring ASHA has a voice at key decision-making tables.
Blair’s impact extends across North America. He owns over 50 horses and works with leading trainers, and his contributions to the sport have earned national recognition, including serving as Chair of Standardbred Canada. He brings valuable governance experience through past terms as President of ASHA, where he demonstrated strong leadership, advocacy, and a commitment to advancing the interests of Alberta’s horse people. Originally from Saskatchewan, Blair moved to Alberta in 1991 and has since become a cornerstone of the industry. His experience, including ownership of the Bedrock Training Centre gives him a well-rounded, practical understanding of the sport at every level. At his core, Blair believes in the accessibility and excitement of racing “Not everyone can own a professional sports team, but horse racing is as close as you can get.” With a vision grounded in growth, collaboration, and sustainability, Blair Corbeil is committed to strengthening Alberta’s Standardbred industry for today and the future.
DON MCDOUGALL – PRESIDENT CANDIDATE
Don McDougall brings over 30 years of experience in the Standardbred industry as an owner, along with nine years of dedicated board service, including roles as Vice President and President. A knowledgeable and steady leader, Don has been actively involved in guiding the industry through both periods of challenge and growth.
During his tenure as President, Don worked closely with industry partners to navigate significant changes, including shifts in provincial government, fluctuations in slot revenue, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also part of the team that successfully negotiated a five-year HRA purse splits agreement between all breeds, helping to provide greater stability and long-term certainty for Alberta’s horsemen and women.
In recent years, Don has remained actively engaged in the industry through communications initiatives, race day analysis, and conducting winner’s circle interviews for stakes races. He maintains strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including Horse Racing Alberta, and brings recent board-level experience that positions him well for upcoming negotiations around purse splits and race dates.
Don believes Alberta’s racing industry is in a strong and competitive position nationally, with continued growth in race cards, purses, and handle. At the same time, he recognizes the importance of ongoing improvements in areas such as track conditions, communication, and industry alignment. With a focus on collaboration, stability, and forward-thinking leadership, Don McDougall is committed to supporting the continued success and long-term sustainability of Alberta’s Standardbred industry.
CHRIS LAMBIE - OWNERS CHAIR CANDIDATE
My name is Chris Lambie and I am running for the Owners Chair position at the 2026 AGM. I bring 25 years of customer facing, finance, risk management and origination experience as a retired energy trader. My career progressed through positions including Associate, VP, Director and finally Head of Canadian Energy Trading with various banks and trading firms. I am a big believer that collaboration, clear communication and putting the organization before self-interests, will always deliver the best long-term results.
I have been actively involved in our industry for the past 8 years. I will strive to bring value to the Board from the unique perspective of an owner, co-owner, stallion owner and breeder. My primary goal would be to provide owners with the level of open and transparent communication they deserve given their ongoing investment. It would be my honour to represent all owners and ensure decisions made by ASHA accommodate our owners' unique concerns. Thanks for your consideration.
TOM BURYNIUK - DIRECTOR CANDIDATE ( 1 OR 2-YEAR TERM )
Tom Buryniuk has spent most of his life around horses, developing a strong appreciation for the industry and the people behind it. While not directly from a racing background, his experience with horses has given him a solid understanding of their care and the importance of maintaining a safe and supportive environment.
Tom currently works as an Operations Manager for a group of companies and brings a strong business background that includes ownership, management, sales, business development, and operations. He understands how to make decisions that support growth, efficiency, and long-term success.
Many may also know Tom as the Track Superintendent at The Track on 2, where he plays a key role in maintaining the racing surface. His responsibilities go beyond routine maintenance, he is actively involved in monitoring track conditions, adapting to weather changes, and ensuring the surface is consistent and safe for competition. Tom takes pride in prioritizing the safety of horses, drivers, and trainers by focusing on proper track preparation, ongoing evaluation, and proactive improvements. His hands-on approach and attention to detail help create a safer racing environment for everyone involved.
Tom is running for a position on the ASHA Board because he believes he can make a meaningful and positive impact. He brings a practical, solutions-focused mindset and is committed to listening to members, understanding their concerns, and helping find ways to move the industry forward. With his combined experience in business and track operations, Tom is prepared to contribute to thoughtful decision-making, support industry growth, and help ensure a strong and sustainable future for Alberta harness racing.






