By The Canadian Press

James MacDonald named Canadian harness racing’s top driver for fifth straight year

Jan 31, 2026 | 8:00 PM

LONDON — James MacDonald was named Canadian harness racing’s top driver for a historic fifth straight year Saturday at the O’Brien Awards.

MacDonald, a resident of Guelph, Ont., posted 369 wins and $9.2 million in purse money in 2025 and also added a second world driving title.

MacDonald was the regular driver for two O’Brien Award winners, Chantilly and Strobe Lite. His biggest stakes win of the year was the Hambletonian Oaks with Conversano.

Dr. Ian Moore, of Cambridge, Ont., earned the O’Brien Awards for horsemanship and top trainer. His top performer, Beau Jangles, was named horse of the year and top two-year-old pacing colt.

Beau Jangles won all 12 of his races last year while earning over $1.68 million, making him the top earner in Canada. Among his wins were the $1 million Metro Pace in 1:49.1 (tying stakes and track record) and $959,000 Breeders Crown in 1:48.3 (stakes, track and Canadian record).

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A Clean Deal was named the top two-year-old pacing filly. She won six-of-seven starts while earning $454,464.

Chantilly captured a second straight O’Brien Award, this time as top three-year-old pacing filly. She won six-of-11 starts and earned $540,682.

Crack Shot was voted Canada’s three-year-old pacing colt of the year after winning six-of-16 starts for $505,267.

Other award recipients include Tara Hills Stud Ltd., Port Perry, Ont., (breeder of the year); Toronto’s Marvin Katz (Cam Fella); Nancy Gredig of St. Thomas, Ont. (outstanding groom); and Damien MacLellan of Inverness, N.S., (future star award).

Other winning horses included: Sylvia Hanover (older pacing mare); Ervin Hanover (older pacing horse); Storybook Love (two-year-old trotting filly);Strobe Lite (two-year-old trotting colt); Stormont Beautiful (three-year-old trotting filly); Emoji Hanover (older trotting mare); and Logan Park (older trotting horse).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2026.

The Canadian Press