By any measure this has been a banner year for driver Scott Coulter of Brantford, Ont.

Any day now he will win his 4,000th race and surpass $25 million in earnings. In June, his first child, a baby girl named Quinn, was born.

“You know what, everybody tells you it’s a game changer and they’re not kidding. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” Coulter said.

A professional driver for nearly 20 years, Coulter, 44, said he owes a lot to a horse named The Rogue that he drove early in his career.

“That horse really gave me the confidence to do some things on the racetrack that maybe I shouldn’t have had the confidence to do,” Coulter said. “He was just a great horse and I loved him for what he let me do with him.”

As for 4,000 wins and $25 million in earnings, Coulter said he’s proud to reach major career milestones in wins and money.

“I’m happy with the numbers and I’m just happy to do something I love. As long as we can keep progressing, I’m good,” Coulter said. “You have to have the support of the good trainers and you’ve got to get some live mounts and then, of course, you’ve got to perform with them when you get that chance. I’ve been able to stay pretty consistent over the years and this year is no different.”

Coulter is currently second in the driver standings at Grand River Raceway and calls the Elora, Ont. track one of his favourite places in the world.

“You’ve got to love the atmosphere. It’s certainly a down-home, family kind of feel at that place. I love the people out by the fence. Often through the night I’ll be able to say hello to a number of people that I know that came to watch the races. There are very few nights that go by where that doesn’t happen. I like the warmth of the environment. It’s just a great place to race a horse,” he said.

Though he’s a new father, Coulter said he doesn’t think about the fact his job carries greater risks than most.

“When I’m on the track I’m consumed by the job at that time. I’m not really thinking like that. I consider myself to be safe. I just go to work and do the job. When I’m home, I’m home. When I’m at work, I’m at work,” he said.

Asked what special talents he has other than driving horses, Coulter laughed.

“I’d say fathering children,” he said. “This one’s a doozy. I did a really good job.”

To hear the complete conversation with Scott Coulter — including what three people he would draft to help him save the world against a zombie apocalypse — check out Grand River Raceway's weekly podcast, the Harness Racing Report, produced for Grand River Raceway by award-winning journalist Dave Briggs, by clicking the orange play button below.