As part of its expanding efforts to increase youth participation in harness racing, Standardbred Canada is launching the inaugural Junior National Driving Championship (JNDC).

The championship will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Clinton Raceway as part of National Driving Championship (NDC) weekend, July 24-26, in Clinton, Ont. The weekend also features the live-streamed Driver's Showcase, the 25th anniversary of Legends' Day, the 50th anniversary celebration of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the crowning of Canada's National Driving Champion.

The weekend begins on Friday, July 24, when Standardbred Canada brings its immersive virtual reality harness racing experience to Huron REACH's Weekend Roundup Open Horse Show & Educational Event, introducing new audiences to the excitement of harness racing and the Standardbred breed.

Saturday's activities begin with the inaugural Junior National Driving Championship at Clinton Raceway. Beginning at 11 a.m., talented young drivers representing the Maritime Minis Racing Association and the Ontario Young Guns Racing Association will compete in a multi-heat championship.

Standardbred Canada Junior members from across the country will drive miniature horses in pursuit of a national title. Fans attending the event will enjoy a complimentary pizza lunch and have the opportunity to meet both the junior competitors and National Driving Championship drivers following the competition. The championship will also be livestreamed on Standardbred Canada's homepage, allowing fans across Canada to watch the next generation of harness racing talent in action.

"Creating meaningful opportunities for young people to become involved in harness racing is essential to the future of our sport," said Darryl Kaplan, President and CEO of Standardbred Canada. "The Junior National Driving Championship is about more than competition. It is part of a broader pathway we are building to strengthen our industry for the future. By bringing this event together with National Driving Championship weekend and with other youth-focused equine programming, our goal is clear: to inspire the next generation and encourage young people from coast to coast to discover, experience and become actively involved in harness racing."

On Saturday evening, following the Junior National Driving Championship, Standardbred Canada will once again present its popular live-streamed Driver's Showcase. Hosted by Greg Blanchard, the program will feature interviews with all eight National Driving Championship competitors, Legends' Day drivers, racing industry leaders and special guests, offering fans an inside look at the personalities and stories behind the weekend's competition.

The excitement continues on Sunday, July 26, with the National Driving Championship, the 25th anniversary of Legends' Day at Clinton Raceway and the 50th anniversary celebration of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with the Cowbell Brewery Patio Party, featuring live music and opportunities for fans to meet the NDC competitors before opening ceremonies at 1 p.m. First race post time is 1:30 p.m.

Legends' Day drivers Doug Brown, Chris Christoforou, Steve Condren, Wally Hennessey, Carl Jamieson, Paul MacDonell and Mike Saftic will be available for autographs from 2-3 p.m. before taking to the track for the Legends' Day Trot. They will be joined by fellow harness racing greats John Campbell, Bill O'Donnell, Trevor Ritchie, Dave Wall and Ron Waples, who will also be available to meet fans and sign autographs.

Meanwhile, Canada's top drivers, who earned their places through Regional Driving Championship competition across the country, will battle through eight races for the National Driving Championship title:

• Tyler Borth
• Nick Boyd
• Stéphane Brosseau
• Marc Campbell
• Phil Giesbrecht
• Kelly Hoerdt
• Jody Jamieson
• Keith Legge 

Every major event throughout the weekend will be featured through a media broadcast, livestream or digital streaming platform, allowing fans across Canada and internationally to follow the action. The media broadcast is sponsored by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association, Clinton Raceway and Standardbred Canada.

Admission to all events at Clinton Raceway is free. Fans are encouraged to attend the full weekend of activities and celebrate Canada's premier showcase of driving talent — from the sport's rising stars to its national champions and legendary horsemen.

(Standardbred Canada Press Release)