New Zealand racing has its own "J Mac" in the form of Hall of Fame jockey James McDonald. But this November, a different "J Mac" will arrive on New Zealand shores in the form of Canada's four-time defending Driver of the Year.
James MacDonald will represent Canada for the third time in the World Driving Championship (WDC) and has already held the title once before after winning in his own country in 2017.
The resident of Guelph, Ont. was crowned the Keith Waples Driver of the Year for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. Not only has he been the leading driver in Canada, but he was the only other driver nominated for the United States' Driver of the Year in 2024 won by champion ex-pat Kiwi Dexter Dunn. He has had more than 4,200 career wins. To put that into context, the 38-year-old has already had more wins than New Zealand's most successful driver Tony Herlihy, with 3,713 wins.
This year, MacDonald has already claimed success at the highest level when winning the Hambletonian Oaks aboard Conversano at The Meadowlands, while it looks likely his star pacing filly Chantilly will continue to have some great battles with the top-ranked horse in North America, Miki And Minnie.
He is very much looking forward to coming ‘Down Under’ again after taking part in the International Invitation Drivers Series in Perth during the 2017 Inter Dominion.
“I met Gary Hall Jr. in Perth during that series and he’s a very nice guy and tremendous driver so he looks hard to beat in the series,” said MacDonald. “And Brett Beckwith is a rising star in North America,” he added.
Hall will be Australia's rep at the WDC with Beckwith donning the Stars and Stripes of the United States.
Despite not being to New Zealand before, MacDonald has started to do some research on what to expect.
“I have talked lots about it over the years with Dex, Tony O’Sullivan and others, but I am just looking forward to meeting a lot of new people and having a great fun week.
“And winning makes everything more fun so hopefully I can do a bit of that as well,” he laughed.
MacDonald has watched some of his counterparts enjoy unique experiences on their past trips and is looking forward to doing the same.
“Training on the beach with the Dunns would be a lot of fun, and I’ve heard how beautiful the country itself is,” said MacDonald.
The World Driving Championship will begin at Kaikoura, before visiting Cambridge, Winton and finishing up on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington.
And MacDonald has been made aware of the enormity of 'Cup Day.'
“I have heard of it and watched a few replays of the big race. From what I have heard, it’s a fantastic day with a huge crowd,” he said.
For more information on the 2025 World Driving Championship, click here.
(with files from Harness Racing New Zealand)