"It was a remarkable night, with a particular highlight being the multitude of appearances by my son, Griff, and witnessing the sheer excitement on his face as he accepted the well-deserved awards. This encapsulates the true essence of this event. While harness racing and emerging victorious in races undoubtedly carry great significance, the presence of my family and the joy reflected in their expressions upon witnessing our collective success is what truly matters."
James MacDonald was bestowed with the esteemed title of the Keith Waples Driver of the Year at the illustrious 2023 O'Brien Awards held in Charlottetown, P.E.I., on Saturday, February 3. The award was presented by Doug Brown, a revered figure in the annals of the O'Brien Awards, who holds the record for the highest number of wins. MacDonald, hailing from P.E.I., achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first driver in history to secure this accolade for three consecutive years, a feat previously accomplished by Brown himself from 1989-1991 and 1993-1996.
MacDonald expressed his elation at receiving the award, remarking, "This is truly remarkable, especially considering the presence of Doug, who personally presented the award. It was an incredibly special moment." MacDonald further shared, "Since my childhood, I have been an ardent fan of racing, watching my brothers Mark and Anthony. To even be considered for this award is a tremendous honour, and winning it for three consecutive years, particularly here in P.E.I., has made this an immensely enjoyable evening, which I believe will continue to be so."
MacDonald surpassed the 400-win milestone for the second consecutive year and exceeded $10 million in seasonal purse earnings, a milestone he had not previously achieved in his career. Notably, this accomplishment also marked the first instance in over a decade that a Canadian-based driver has reached such remarkable heights. Among the illustrious winners of the 2023 O'Brien Awards, MacDonald emerged as the driving force behind Adare Castle, Legendary Hanover, Righteous Resolve, So Much More, and Willys Home Run. Reflecting on his illustrious career, MacDonald also shared insights into the O'Brien Award-winning equine stars he had the privilege of driving in 2023, including the widely adored So Much More, during an interview with Standardbred Canada's John Rallis and Jeff Porchak.