Hall of Fame

Marvin Katz is widely regarded as one of the most influential and admired figures in modern harness racing, celebrated for his achievements as an owner, breeder, philanthropist and industry leader. Born in 1948 in a Displaced Persons camp in Ulm, Germany, to parents who survived the Holocaust, he immigrated to Canada as a young child. Growing up in Toronto, Katz developed an early fascination with Standardbred racing during visits to Greenwood Raceway with his father—an experience that planted the seeds for a lifelong passion.

While establishing himself as a successful real estate developer and construction executive, Katz began purchasing racehorses in the 1980s, sometimes in partnership with former football teammate Sam Goldband. His earliest acquisitions were modest, but his fortunes shifted dramatically in 1997 when Dream Away captured the Meadowlands Pace, marking the beginning of nearly three decades of sustained excellence on the sport’s biggest stages.

Katz quickly earned a reputation for his sharp eye for talent and his willingness to invest in elite bloodlines. Over the years, he has partnered in the ownership or breeding of many of the sport’s most accomplished horses, particularly in the trotting ranks. His roster of standout performers includes 2020 U.S. Horse of the Year Tall Dark Stranger, Pacer of the Year Captaintreacherous and 2010 Hambletonian champion Muscle Massive. Alongside longtime partner Al Libfeld, Katz also bred Maverick, who sold for a record-setting $1.1 million USD as a yearling in 2019.

Beyond his success on the track, Katz has been a thoughtful and steady advocate for the long-term health of harness racing. He has supported major sales, breeding programs and industry initiatives, and he is the organizer of the highly successful Breeders Crown Charity Challenge. His leadership extends to key governance roles as a director of both the Hambletonian Society and Woodbine Entertainment Group. Katz has been a trustee of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame since 2019.

Katz’s contributions have earned him some of the sport’s highest honors, including election to the the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2025, a fitting recognition of his profound and lasting impact. In 2025 he also received the Cam Fella Award for his extraordinary service to harness racing.

Katz remains deeply engaged in the sport, continuing to breed and campaign top-level horses while mentoring the next generation of owners and breeders. His influence is felt not only through the champions he has helped produce but also through the standards of excellence, professionalism and generosity he brings to every facet of the industry.