Charles J Cella

Charles J. Cella, President, has been at Oaklawn's helm since 1968. His interest in thoroughbred racing results from his family's long tradition of involvement with the sport. His grandfather and great uncle, Charles and Louis Cella, were among the founders of Oaklawn. His father, the late John Cella, served as Oaklawn president during the modern era of Oaklawn until his death in 1968.

Under John Cella the tone of Oaklawn's future was established when it became a charter member of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, an association of track management which operates under a self-imposed code of standards and ethics. John Cella served as president of the TRA in 1959-60. Charles Cella continued Oaklawn's close relationship with the TRA, serving as the youngest president in its history 1975-76.

Oaklawn entered an era of growth unmatched by any other racing center in America thanks to Cella's leadership. By combining a multi-million dollar improvement program with numerous innovations in the racing program, Cella built Oaklawn into one of the largest centers in America.

In recent years he has become one of the sport's more prominent owners. His colt, Northern Spur, won the 1995 Eclipse Award as champion turf horse after winning the Breeders' Cup Turf in one of the most courageous performances in American racing history.  In 2008 he will be inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. 

Cella received his B.A. degree in political science at Washington and Lee University. Active in numerous sports, Cella was a nationally-ranked squash player for many years. He is president of Southern Real Estate and Financial Company and has served as past or present director of National Gypsum Company, First Commercial National and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.

He also has served as a board member of the Arkansas Easter Seal Society and Eye Research Institute of Retina Foundation of Boston, Massachusetts, is chairman of the Knowlton Awards for Excellence, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, and also been a director of the Arkansas State Fair and Livestock Show, the Municipal Theater Association of St. Louis, Missouri, and the Jockey Club in New York. He has been recognized as a lifetime honorary member of the Board of Governors of the Arkansas Livestock Show Association.