COO Ritvo departs The Stronach Group, eyes 'next chapter'

The Stronach Group announced Monday that Chief Operating Officer Tim Ritvo has left the company effective immediately to pursue new opportunities.

Ritvo has held several roles in his tenure with the company moving from General Manager of Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., to become the company's COO.

"I want to thank Tim for his 24/7, day-in and day-out commitment to our company and our sport and for the invaluable contributions he has made to the repositioning and profitability of our business," said Belinda Stronach, chairman and president of The Stronach Group. "I wish Tim success and we look forward to continuing our positive and productive relationship together.

"I have tremendous confidence in our 1/ST Racing Team, led by Craig Fravel, and their ongoing commitment to evolving our racing platform with the highest level of integrity and forward-thinking that will drive our company's growth for the future."

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Ritvo played an important role across the core racing operations functions of the company. Most notably, he turned around the operations at Gulfstream Park and positioned it for profitability and future growth.

In addition to his contributions at Gulfstream Park, Ritvo has led operations at Santa Anita Park and the Maryland Jockey Club and has helped to build the profile and success of the company's premier events, including the Preakness Stakes and the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series.

"Over the past decade, Tim has applied his lifelong passion and knowledge for the sport to our company's core racing operations functions and has positioned 1/ST Racing for continued growth," said Craig Fravel, CEO of 1/ST Racing. "Tim's contributions will be leveraged by 1/ST Racing as we continue to set a new competitive standard in Thoroughbred racing that puts horse and rider safety at the forefront."

The Stronach Group has no immediate plans to fill the position.

"I am honored to have been part of The Stronach Group and am proud of the accomplishments that we have made for the industry across our racing and training programs," Ritvo said. "As a former jockey, passionate fan and lifelong horseman, I am grateful to have been a part of the team. I have learned so much and want to thank everyone that I have worked with over the years for their support. I look forward to the next chapter in my professional career."