The world’s top harness drivers, including Canada's James MacDonald, will again face off in the return of the Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship next month at Albion Park in Brisbane, Australia.
Following a successful inaugural event in 2025, the innovative slot racing series will return to Albion Park on Friday, Feb. 20 and Saturday, Feb. 21. The Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship will feature 10 drivers, selected by the 10 slot owners, competing in a 20-race series over two nights, with the prize money pool rising to $350,000 AUD for this year's event.
James MacDonald, a two-time World Driving Champion who is in the running for his fifth straight O'Brien Award as Canada's Driver of the Year, has been selected to represent slot holder ABR, Summit Bloodstock & The Burke Brigade.
The defending Ultimate Driver Champion, Angus Garrad of Australia, will once again represent the Garrards, SEN & 1Equine slot while other returning competitors include top Swedish reinsman Björn Goop and Australian stars Gary Hall Jr. and Pete McMullen.
The complete lineup of 10 drivers selected to compete in the 2026 Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship (with slot holders) is listed below:
- Trista Dixon (Diamonds & Pearls)
- Angus Garrard (Garrards, SEN &1Equine)
- Björn Goop (Tumby Park Syndicate)
- Gary Hall Jr. (Gloucester Park Gurus)
- Cam Hart (Bionic Jokers)
- James Herbertson (Herb Factor)
- James MacDonald (ABR, Summit Bloodstock & The Burke Brigade)
- Luke McCarthy (Marburg Gold)
- Pete McMullen (The Unharnessed Hawks Syndicate)
- Robbie Morris (Lion Kings)
*Reserve Driver: Brendan Barnes
Slot holders, which anted up $30,000 AUD each to compete, will receive points throughout the 20 races based on their driver's finishing position, with the team that accrues the most points declared the winner.
“The significant interest – both locally and internationally – that the Ultimate Driver Championship has garnered going into its second year is a testament to its instant impact in the sport,” said Andrew Clarke, Racing Queensland's Senior Racing Manager – Harness. “This year’s series will boast significant prize money increases, with the overall Ultimate Driver and their slot holder now set to receive $110,000 [AUD] of the total pool."
“The inaugural Ultimate Driver Championship was hailed a monumental success, underpinned by strong on-course patronage, widespread international interest, and record wagering turnover," said Jim Wadell, Albion Park Harness Racing Club CEO. “We’re looking forward to be able to build on that success and go bigger and better in 2026.”
(With files from Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship)