Harness: Paul MacDonell retires from the sport after winning with his final drive
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Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame member Paul MacDonell concluded his harness racing career with a victory behind his trainee Ungawa in Sunday night's fourth race at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
MacDonell, the 2008 O'Brien Award recipient for the top driver in Canada, had 46,315 starts over a span from 1981 to tonight, winning 5,786 races and piloting the earners of over C$127.9 million. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2020.
"Mostly my birth certificate," MacDonell said with a smile about his decision to step away. "I'm 63 years old and I've been at it going on 45 years I think it is. I think it was time. I love the horses and everything, but it's time to do something different."
In the winner's circle following his victory with Ungawa, MacDonell was joined by the members of Woodbine Mohawk Park driving colony, which MacDonell reflected on.
"I was floored actually to see the guys come out like they did. It means a lot, it really does," he remarked. "Other relationships I've had over the years with Wellwoods and the Baxes and numerous other stables. Doug Brown was a major part of my career starting out. There are so many I can't even think of them all right at the moment. It all comes together to go into a career."
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Most notably, MacDonell was the driver of the great pacer Somebeachsomewhere during his illustrious career that saw the son of Mach Three post a 20-1-0 record from 21 starts and earn in excess of $3.2 million. Not only were his exploits memorable on the track, but Somebeachsomewhere became the top pacing stallion in the sport, and his influence on the breed continues through his sons and daughters after his untimely passing in 2018.
"That was a tremendous ride. He grew from just being a horse from Nova Scotia that came out here and took this business by storm and is still doing it today," MacDonell said. "Like yesterday, (Sebastian K Free-For-All Trot winner) Nordic Catcher, he's out of a Somebeachsomewhere mare. It's just phenomenal what he's done in the breeding business. His legacy continues."
As for what's next, MacDonell is planning a move east to the Canadian Maritimes.
"We bought a place in Cape Breton in Port Hood, Nova Scotia. I'm going to be going there and just kicking back for a while," he stated. "My wife Lynn is there, and she's waiting for me to show up next week. I can't wait for that next part to start."