With the 2025 O'Brien Awards less than two weeks away, Trot Insider continues to showcase this year's finalists, with the Keith Waples Driver of the Year contenders in this spotlight.

After first-round voting determined five candidates, the trio emerging as 2025 finalists are James MacDonald, Bob McClure and Louis-Philippe Roy.

No driver has walked off the stage at the O'Brien Awards being named Canada's Driver of the Year in five consecutive years. In nine days, James MacDonald can be the first. The 40-year-old resident of Guelph, Ont. topped the nation's standings with $7.99 million banked on Canadian soil in 2025, adding 363 victories while winning another driving title at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

"Anytime you’re recognized as one of the best in your field, it’s special," said MacDonald. "To be able to be nominated the last number of years means everything to me.  I never dreamed I would ever be here or ever win one for that matter."

Winning another one refers to the O'Brien Award in this case, but it could also apply to his seasonal highlight from 2025 — a win in the World Driving Championship in New Zealand this past November.

"Just to wear the red and white is special, but to be able to win was unbelievable," stated MacDonald. "To go across the world and get the job done was incredible."

The competition MacDonald faces in the Driver of the Year category also boasts O'Brien Awards in this division. In fact, the three finalists this year own the last seven awards doled out in this category. Bob McClure was the Driver of the Year before MacDonald's current four-peat, winning in 2020.

"Being a finalist is a reminder of how fortunate I was to sit behind such a high number of talented horses for some very good trainers," said McClure, who posted 119 wins while banking a career-best $7.29 million in purses and competing strictly on Canadian soil in 2025. Among his seasonal highlights was the 2025 Metro Pace win behind the unbeaten O'Brien Award finalist Beau Jangles.

"There were a lot of people questioning how Beau Jangles stacked up," stated the 35-year-old Rockwood, Ont. resident. "They threw everything at him and he silenced everyone.

"'Beau' has been a dream. He’s the best horse I’ve ever driven. Or seen," McClure continued. "His raw ability is paired with great manners and a huge desire to get there first. I pinch myself every time I think about how lucky I was to sit behind him. The connections were also great; they enjoyed the ride and I was glad I got to be included in it."

Two-time Driver of the Year winner Louis-Philippe Roy seeks his third title in this category as the third finalist. Named as Canada's Driver of the Year in 2018 and 2019, Roy posted his second consecutive $7 million season north of the border in 2025. Adding his stateside loot to his numbers, the 2025 campaign proved to be Roy's most lucrative with more than $8.6 million in total purses.

"I'm very proud of what I personally achieved," the 36-year-old Quebec native and current Campbellville, Ont. resident told Trot Insider. "The more and more it goes, I feel I turned myself into more of a veteran driver. My first few times I got nominated for O'Brien Awards, I was feeling I was more like a new, rising star. And now I'm proud of my year, and my whole career so far."

A finalist in this category for the last three seasons, Roy enjoys his O'Brien Awards experience regardless of outcome and no matter where it's held.

"It's a fun night every time. The whole group that organizes the event, they always do a great job. Beyond expectations," added Roy. "When they show the videos with the highlights of the season, it's a great feeling watching those. It gives you goosebumps."

The winners will be announced at the O’Brien Awards Gala on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at the J-AAR Expo Centre at Western Fair District in London, Ont.

This year marks the 37th edition of the O’Brien Awards, named in honour of the late Joe O’Brien, an outstanding horseman and Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee.

(Standardbred Canada; driver photos courtesy New Image Media)