Justin Irvine, one of the rising stars in harness racing, recently appeared as a guest on the In The Sulky segment at The Meadowlands, where he discussed his journey in the sport and the path that has led him to become one of the most promising young drivers in the industry.
During his conversation with host Dave Little, the 23-year-old driver reflected on his roots in harness racing, his career so far, and his thoughts on the future of the sport.
Irvine, who has already accumulated an impressive $6.5 million in lifetime earnings, has seen a significant portion of his success in 2024 alone, further cementing his place as a rising talent in the sport.
Notably, he was the driver behind Southwind Amazon, the 14-year-old horse that set the record for the most wins in modern day harness racing.
Growing up at Northfield Park, Irvine comes from a deep-rooted harness racing background, surrounded by horses his entire life. His passion for the sport was evident from a young age, and he won his first race at just 14 years old at the Goshen Fair. Now, as one of the top drivers in the standings at Northfield, the son of noted reinsman Don Irvine has built a reputation for his skill and dedication. He was encouraged by his peers to expand his horizons, prompting the shift to New Jersey for the time being.
"The guys at Northfield, they kind of pushed me," said Irvine. "Ronnie Wrenn and Aaron Merriman, they're the top two guys there every year...Ronnie came out here and won a Breeders Crown, and by no means is that an easy feat, he was like, 'I think it's a good shot. You don't really drive a lot on a mile or any bigger tracks than a half. If you want to get some exposure and experience, I think it would be a great spot to try it for the winter.'"
Little turned to the young driver for his perspective on the future of harness racing. Despite the industry's challenges, Irvine expressed optimism about the sport’s long-term prospects.
“I’m optimistic,” he said. “I think harness racing has a foreseeable future just because it has such a big impact on our economy, whether people realize it or not. It’s a great business, and I hope it lasts as long as I’m alive.”
The full segment is available below.
(Standardbred Canada)