Eugene Melnyk has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the New York Racing Association Inc.
"Eugene will make a great contribution to the NYRA Board of Trustees," said NYRA chairman Barry Schwartz. "His acumen in business is well documented and his knowledge of and dedication to Thoroughbred racing is unquestioned."
Melnyk is the Chairman and CEO of Biovail Corporation, an international, full-service pharmaceutical company that focuses on researching and developing some of the most advanced drug delivery technologies in the world. Biovail is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
He is also a prominent owner. In partnership with his wife, Laura, he has raced the stakes winners Archers Bay, Fisher Pond, Graeme Hall, Kirtons, Lodge Hill, Marley Vale, Tweedside, Strong Hope and Harmony Lodge, who won the Gallant Bloom at Belmont this past Sunday. Archers Bay earned a Sovereign Award as Canada's top three-year-old colt in 1998.
Melnyk purchased Mockingbird Farm in Ocala, Florida in 2001 and renamed it Winding Oaks Farm.
This past August, Melnyk assumed the role of sole owner, governor and chairman of the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators. As part of that acquisition he also owns the Corel Center, an 18,500-seat entertainment arena that is home to the Senators. He is also the sole owner of the Ontario Hockey League's Toronto St. Michael's Majors junior hockey team.
Melnyk is also an honorary director of "Help Us Help the Children" and Canada Benefactor of the Tourette Syndrome Association. He donated $1 million to the Belmont Child Care Association to build Anna House, a day care center for children of Belmont Park's backstretch workers. The child-care facility is named for his daughter.
Melnyk was a co-recipient of the 2002 Joe Palmer Award given by the National Turf Writers Association for his meritorious contributions to Thoroughbred racing.
