Fresh off his first Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional Driving Championship victory, Nick Boyd will join veteran competitor Stéphane Brosseau in representing the Quebec / Eastern Ontario Region at the 2026 National Driving Championship (NDC) later this month at Clinton Raceway.

The pair qualified through the 2026 Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional Driving Championship at Hippodrome 3R. Boyd captured his first regional title in his fourth appearance, while defending champion Brosseau earned the second qualifying spot despite entering the event as a late replacement.

For Boyd, the victory was the culmination of some persistence.

Competing in his fourth (consecutive) regional championship, the Kawartha Downs leading driver had come close to advancing on several occasions, finishing fourth in both 2018 and 2022 before placing sixth in 2024. This year, however, he broke through.

"It was a fantastic event, and I can't say enough about everyone who helped make it such a success," said Boyd. "The trainers deserve a great deal of credit for supporting the event by providing a solid group of horses, and the racing officials and organizers did an exceptional job from start to finish. I realize winning probably gives me a more positive perspective than most, but I was truly honoured and incredibly excited to come away with the victory. To win an event of this calibre against such strong competition is something I'll always be proud of, and it's an experience I'll never forget.

"Being so close to advancing each of the last three regionals definitely made my desire to win grow stronger every time," he said. "Naturally, you hope to improve with each appearance, but my biggest focus has always been on improving my process — how I prepare, how I approach each regional and how I execute during the races. Every regional taught me something, even the smallest details, and I tried to carry those lessons into the next event. I think that mindset is what ultimately helped me take the next step. I felt absolutely locked in this year."

Now, Boyd will make his National Driving Championship debut with an opportunity to earn one of the highest honours in Canadian harness racing.

"I think anyone would be lying if they said they haven't imagined what it would feel like to wear Canada's colours and represent our country on that stage," said Boyd. "To win the NDC would be the greatest honour and accomplishment of my driving career. The thought of having my name forever etched alongside some of the greatest drivers Canada has ever produced is incredibly humbling. I'll never compare my career to what so many of them have achieved, but to earn a place on that list, even just once, would mean the world to me. It's something that nobody could ever take away, and something so few could ever say."

Boyd gives a fist pump as he crosses the wire with GA Speed Gaby, securing his 2026 Quebec / Eastern Ontario Driving Championship victory. 

While Boyd will make his first appearance at the National Driving Championship, Brosseau returns as one of the championship's veteran competitors.

The Quebec reinsman has become a fixture at the Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional Driving Championship, competing in each of the last four editions. He was runner-up in 2018, seventh in 2022, champion in 2024 and second this year, establishing himself as one of the region's top championship drivers.

Brosseau received a late call to participate in this year's Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional Driving Championship after Guy Gagnon withdrew from the competition.

"At first I knew I didn't have the numbers to be in it," said Brosseau. "The call was unexpected. I said to myself, 'Probably my last time — go for it.' It was a good day of racing."

Now preparing for his third National Driving Championship appearance, Brosseau continues to perform well when points are on the line.

"Driving championships are always a super experience," he said. "You try to be more lucky than good."

His record at the National Driving Championship is equally impressive. Brosseau finished second in 2018 before returning to place fourth in 2024, proving he is capable of contending with Canada's best drivers when given the opportunity.

Despite stepping back from regular driving over the past few seasons, Brosseau wants to win as much as ever.

"For sure, those close finishes make you want to win even more," said Brosseau. "From having no shot to nearly winning... why not?"

Brosseau will also have his son alongside him in Clinton, Ont., something that carries special meaning regardless of the final result.

"He was there the last time when I finished fourth," said Brosseau. "Just living this experience with my son, I'm already winning."

Brosseau narrows out Boyd with Lets Get Pickled at the 2026 Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional Driving Championship.

History is within reach for both representatives.

No driver representing the Quebec / Eastern Ontario Region has ever won the National Driving Championship. A victory in Clinton would not only make regional history but would also be a career highlight for Boyd and Brosseau.

Together, Boyd and Brosseau will represent the Quebec / Eastern Ontario Region and Kawartha Downs at the National Driving Championship on Sunday, July 26 at Clinton Raceway.

Joining them in Clinton will be Ontario representatives Tyler Borth and Jody Jamieson, Atlantic representatives Marc Campbell and Keith Legge, and Western representatives Phil Giesbrecht and Kelly Hoerdt. The eight drivers will compete over eight races, with the National Driving Champion earning the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2027 World Driving Championship on home soil.

(Standardbred Canada Press Release)