Canada will welcome back the World Driving Championship (WDC) a decade later!
The WDC, held biennially and organized by the host country with the International Trotting Association, has been a global harness racing event since 1970. Canada last hosted the event in 2017, with races held in four provinces — Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Prince Edward Island. The 2027 edition marks Canada’s second time hosting in a decade.
James MacDonald was the fourth Canadian driver to win the championship in 2017 and the first to do so on solely Canadian soil. Hervé Filion won the inaugural edition — conducted over tracks in Canada and the U.S. — in 1970; his nephew, Sylvain Filion, won in 1999; and Jody Jamieson triumphed in 2001 and 2011.
“Hosting the World Driving Championship in 2027 is a chance to showcase the strength and spirit of Canada’s harness racing industry on the world stage,” said Darryl Kaplan, President and CEO of Standardbred Canada. “From our passionate horsepeople to our historic racetracks, Canada has an extraordinary story to share. With the support of our valued partners, we are confident in delivering a truly world-class event that will captivate audiences and drive wagering from around the globe.”
Since 1970, the winners of the World Driving Championship have been as follows:
- 1970 – Hervé Filion (Canada)
- 1971 – Adolf Ubleis (Austria)
- 1972 – Giuseppe Guzzinati (Italy)
- 1973 – Ulf Thoresen (Norway)
- 1974 – Joe Marsh Jr. (USA)
- 1975 – Keith Addison (Australia)
- 1977 – Ulf Thoresen (Norway)
- 1978 – Kevin Holmes (New Zealand)
- 1979 – Ulf Thoresen (Norway)
- 1981 – Ulf Thoresen (Norway)
- 1983 – Robert Cameron (New Zealand)
- 1985 – Tony Herlihy (New Zealand)
- 1987 – Ted Demmler (Australia)
- 1989 – Ron Pierce (USA)
- 1991 – Maurice McKendry (New Zealand)
- 1993 – Heinz Wewering (Germany)
- 1995 – Dave Magee (USA)
- 1997 – Heinz Wewering (Germany)
- 1999 – Sylvain Filion (Canada)
- 2001 – Jody Jamieson (Canada)
- 2003 – Mark Jones (New Zealand)
- 2005 – Roberto Andreghetti (Italy)
- 2007 – Christophe Martens (Belgium)
- 2009 – Birger Jørgensen (Denmark)
- 2011 – Jody Jamieson (Canada)
- 2013 – Pierre Vercruysse (France)
- 2015 – Dexter Dunn (New Zealand)
- 2017 – James MacDonald (Canada)
- 2019 – Rick Ebbinge (The Netherlands)
- 2023 – Rick Ebbinge (The Netherlands)
Competition Format: Legs, Drivers & Point System
The World Driving Championship comprises multiple legs held at various racetracks within the host country. It typically spans five legs, testing drivers' adaptability, horse pools and racing conditions. Each leg features 10 to 12 drivers representing their home countries, who earn spots through national championships or selections by their respective racing authority.
The WDC uses a points-based system. The standard point allocation for each race is as follows:
- 1st place – 17 points
- 2nd place – 12 points
- 3rd place – 9 points
- 4th place – 7 points
- 5th place – 6 points
- 6th place – 5 points
- 7th place – 4 points
- 8th place – 3 points
- 9th place – 2 points
- 10th place – 1 point
The driver with the highest total points is named World Driving Champion. In case of a tie, the title goes to the driver with the most first-place finishes.
This year, New Zealand will host the 2025 World Driving Championship and Canada will once again be represented by James MacDonald. The Guelph, Ont.-based driver secured his place by winning the 2024 National Driving Championship (NDC) at Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivières, Que., in the summer of 2024.
As the 2027 championship nears, Standardbred Canada has engaged in discussions with national horse associations and is set to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) to choose the racetracks and cities for hosting the event.
Stay tuned to the Standardbred Canada website for more information.
(Standardbred Canada Press Release)