Item 5.02 (c)         Appointment of Principal Officers

On January 7, 2008, the Board of Directors of Magna Entertainment Corp.

("MEC") announced that it has appointed Ron Charles, age 60, as Chief Operating Officer ("COO") of MEC. 

Mr. Charles joined MEC in 2004 as Executive Director of MEC California and was elected as a Director on August 9, 2007, as previously announced. From the early 1990's to 2004, Mr. Charles was a consultant for ATAK Management, an international real estate development and consumer financing firm, based in Los Angeles. Mr. Charles is a long-time owner and breeder of thoroughbred race horses and is the past Chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and was a founding member of the organization.

Under the terms of Mr. Charles' current employment agreement, dated June 8, 2005, he receives a base salary of US $250,000 per annum plus an annual bonus in an amount equal to one half of one percent (0.5%) of the combined Earnings Before Interest, Income Tax, Depreciation and Amortization of Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields.  The agreement and Mr. Charles' employment will immediately terminate upon (a) acceptance by MEC of his voluntary resignation, (b) upon his death, (c) at MEC's option upon his disability for an aggregate of six months or more in any twenty-four month period, subject to any statutory requirement to accommodate such disability, or (d) if he is dismissed by MEC for just cause or committing an illegal act under common or statute law, or for material breach of the terms of such agreement.  Mr. Charles or MEC may, at any time, terminate such agreement by providing the other party with twelve months' prior written notice of intention to terminate. MEC may also, at any time, instead of providing Mr. Charles with twelve months' prior written notice, elect to terminate his employment immediately by paying him twelve months' base salary.

In connection with Mr. Charles' appointment as COO, MEC and Mr. Charles are currently negotiating new employment arrangements.  Such arrangements, once determined, will be disclosed in an amended Form 8-K under this Item 5.02 within four business days after such information is determined or becomes available.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Charles and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed COO. There are no relationships or related transactions between Mr. Charles and MEC of the type required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 7.01               Regulation FD Disclosure

On January 7, 2008, the Registrant issued a press release announcing appointment of Ron Charles as COO.

The full text of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

The information in this Item 7.01 (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01               Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.