The Maritime Mini Racing Series, which has reported a significant increase in participation among youth over the past couple of years, announced the renaming of its Youth Award in honour of Urban "Rabbit" MacDonald.

Over the past year, this growing youth-driven program has received incredible support from coast to coast, helping to inspire, educate and keep the next generation of drivers actively involved in the sport we all love.

What began as a small initiative with just three participants has quickly evolved into something extraordinary. In its second year, the program expanded to 24 young drivers, and this past season, 28 talented youth and their mini ponies took part across five Maritime tracks — Summerside Raceway, Inverness Raceway, Northside Downs, Charlottetown Driving Park (Old Home Week) and Truro Raceway.

This year marked another exciting evolution for the program. The group made a major shift by moving away from galloping and focusing entirely on trotting — the true gait of harness racing. This change challenged the youth to retrain their minis from speed to precision, patience and rhythm. The results were nothing short of amazing.

“Each year, we seem to throw these kids to the wolves with new challenges, but they never back down,” said Kaitlyn Wesley, head organizer of the program. “They took on trotting like professionals, worked hard and showed everyone they could do it. Every race they got stronger and the pride in their faces said it all.”

The 2025 season wrapped up at Truro Raceway with the Harness the Hope Charity Day, an emotional and inspiring day where the mini drivers not only raced but also gave back. The youth worked together through bottle drives, decal sales and generous donations to raise $1,000 for the Colchester East Hants Hospice Society.

“I couldn’t be prouder of them,” said Wesley. “They’ve gone from learning reins and balance to learning the value of giving back. They truly are the future of harness racing.”

From day one, three-time O'Brien Award-winning driver Jody Jamieson has been an incredible supporter of the Maritime Mini Racing Series. His belief in the next generation has helped fuel the momentum that keeps this program thriving. Jamieson helped launch the Trot Challenge and later introduced the Trot Champion Driver Award, recognizing the driver who kept their mini trotting from start to finish all season. The first recipient, Harrison Dowling, earned the 2024 title for his discipline and determination with his mini named Lainey Wilson.

This year, Jamieson wanted to take that recognition a step further, renaming the award to honour a man whose kindness and dedication embodied the spirit of Maritime harness racing: Urban "Rabbit" MacDonald.

MacDonald was a true legend in the Prince Edward Island racing community, known for his generosity, laughter and willingness to help anyone, especially the youth. In his memory, the award will now be known as the “Rabbit MacDonald Driver of the Year Award,” presented by Double J. The winner will receive a custom Brizy driving suit and a helmet from Grattan’s Helmets, continuing a tradition of pride and excellence in the sport.

“Rabbit was one of those people who made harness racing what it is — full of heart, passion and community,” said Jamieson. “To see his name live on through the youth, who represent the future of the sport, means everything.”

As 2025 ends, the Maritime Mini Racing Series looks back on an incredible year of growth, determination and joy, and ahead to an even bigger 2026 season. The youth are already talking about new goals, more races and fresh ideas to make next year even more exciting.

“The enthusiasm these kids have is contagious,” added Wesley. “They’re already asking what tracks we’ll visit next year. That’s how we know we’re doing something right — they don’t want the season to end.”

With a strong network of supporters, sponsors and harness racing fans behind them, the Maritime Mini Racing Series continues to be a bright light for the sport’s future.

(With files from Maritime Mini Racing Series)