The Host Committee of the 2025 Atlantic Breeders Crown will once again recognize Atlantic harness racing families for their long-term contribution to the industry.

One family meeting the criteria will be selected from each of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Awards sponsored by the Province of Prince Edward Island will be presented as part of the Atlantic Breeders Crown Banquet on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Top of The Park, Red Shores Charlottetown.

The harness racing industry and general public are invited to submit nominations to the evaluation committees in each province for consideration for recognition. Nominations should be in written form and detail how the nominated family meets the suggested criteria:

• 50 years of family involvement in Atlantic harness racing
• at least one family member still active in the industry in some capacity
• achievements on an Atlantic/Canadian scale as a breeder, owner, trainer, driver or builder
• public recognition for outstanding contributions to Atlantic harness racing (e.g., National or Provincial Halls of Fame)
• success in major Atlantic Canadian races (e.g., track records, stakes or invitational wins, significant milestones, prolific success of several family members)
• longevity of success of family member(s)
• The evaluation committees reserve the right to submit nominations as well.

Nominations are due by Monday, Sept. 8, 2025.

The evaluation committees, which have been established in each province, will select one family per Atlantic province to be honoured. Since its initiation in 2001, the following families have been recognized:

New Brunswick

Alexander, Armstrong, Barrieau, Belliveau, Breau, Bishop, Davidson, Doherty, both Cerdic Downey and Milton Downey, Goguen, Goodine, Irving, Jones, Kirkpatrick, MacDonald, Mahar, Nicholson, Queen, Gerry Ryan, Stevenson and Trites families.

Nova Scotia

Beaton, Daniels, Davis, Ellis, Ferguson, Getto, Gillis, Haley, Jamieson, McCallum, MacDonnell, MacKay, MacKinnon, MacLeod, MacQuarrie, Pinkney, Polley, Rankin, Ratchford, Smith, Whebby and Wilson families.

Prince Edward Island

Andrew, Annear, Arsenault, Bernard, Campbell, Chappell, Gass, Hennessey, Kelly, Mike and Paul MacDonald, MacGregor, MacLean, MacPhee, O’Brien, Pineau, Poulton, Smallwood, Cyril Smith, Don and Ian Smith, Taylor, Whelan and Willis families.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Cliff Garland, Dennis Galway, and the Baird, Deering, Dillon, Dooling, Downing, Forward, McDonald, Merner, Oliver, Pack, Ryan, Sheppard and Williams families.

Nominations should be forward to:

Prince Edward Island

Jerry McCabe, Atlantic Breeders Crown Host Committee
Phone: 902-218-1225
Email: [email protected]

Nova Scotia

Debbie Francis, Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association
Phone: 902-790-1885
Email: [email protected]

New Brunswick

Sam Hodgin, New Brunswick Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association 
506-647-1888
Email: [email protected]

Newfoundland and Labrador

Aubrey Williams, Newfoundland Harness Horse Owners Association
Email: [email protected]

(Red Shores)