The youngest ambassador in the sport of harness racing will be the guest of honour at Batavia Downs this Sunday (August 23), during the track’s Family Fun Day.
Fifteen-year-old Sydney Weaver, known to virtually everyone in the North American harness racing industry, and her parents, Lisa and Don Weaver, are driving down from their home in Ontario to Batavia for their first-ever visit to America’s oldest lighted harness track.
Sydney just graduated from eighth grade as an honour-roll student. She got her groom’s license at age 10, authors a column for the racing site ‘Harnesslink,’ has won major youth writing awards for her stories about harness racing, and is the youngest member to ever join the United States Harness Writers Association.
She owns a horse that is coincidentally named Sydney Seelster (Aka ‘Pinky’ because she was always harnessed in pink; Sydney's favourite colour). The Weavers campaigned the mare at tracks in Ontario for the past several years before retiring her to the breeding shed where she is currently in foal.
Regardless of the season or weather, Sydney is always at the races watching from her favourite spot at the rail. She roots for the horses, cheers for and congratulates the horsemen, and documents all the action on her Facebook page every day. This type of schedule would be taxing for any young lady, but it is just another day for this dynamic individual.
And, throughout it all, Sydney battles with Cerebral Palsy and is usually confined to her wheelchair. But that never has, nor ever will, stop her from achieving her goals. She still jogs horses on the racetrack and is working towards getting her trainers license.
“Sydney is an inspiration to everyone, not just those in harness racing,” said Todd Haight, the general manager and director of live racing at Batavia. “The energy and passion for horses she puts forth is exemplary, as is her love of the sport. She is what we all hope for in the next generation of racing fans and participants.”
Batavia is rolling out the red carpet in honour of Sydney’s visit. The track has also named a race in honor of Sydney’s visit.
When asked about her trip, Sydney said, "I cannot wait to go to Batavia Downs; I love the thrill and anticipation of visiting a track I have never been to before. It is always an adventure, and I always meet so many wonderful people."
(With files from Batavia)