MacDonald Sets Historic Milestone at Woodbine

James MacDonald achieved a historic milestone at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, December 23, becoming the first driver to record three seasons with 400 wins. Entering the evening just two victories shy of the mark for 2024, MacDonald secured his milestone in style. 

The evening began with a commanding win aboard four-year-old pacer Nightime Dancer and concluded with a decisive victory with nine-year-old pacer Mach Impact, cementing his 400th win for the year. This accomplishment extends MacDonald’s dominance, as he has now claimed his fourth consecutive driving title at Woodbine. 

MacDonald recorded 400-win seasons in 2022 and 2023, making him the only driver to achieve this feat thrice at Woodbine Entertainment. His current total of 400 wins for 2024 could still rise, with four race cards remaining in the year. 

This achievement marks the eighth 400-win season in Woodbine history, with MacDonald joining a prestigious list that includes drivers like Doug Brown and Chris Christoforou. Additionally, MacDonald has set a new benchmark for Canadian-based drivers, amassing $12.2 million in earnings this year, surpassing Christoforou’s 2003 record of $11.9 million. 

Recognised for his outstanding year, MacDonald is a finalist for both the O’Brien Awards in Canada and the Dan Patch Awards in the U.S. 

Live harness racing resumes on Boxing Day, December 26, at 1 p.m., featuring the Valedictory and Niagara series finals. Evening races will continue through the year’s end, with post-times shifting to 6:30 p.m. on January 2, 2025.