Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds On Driver of the Month

February 2005

Paul MacDonell

Forty-two-year-old Paul Macdonell was born in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada and began driving trotters and pacers since in his teenager days. During his first year as a driver, in 1981, he piloted five winners to the tune of $3,843. Paul has come a long way since those lean, early days in the business.

Today, he's one of the most successful reinsmen on the Canadian circuit, not to mention in North America and is a member of the Canadian Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

Residing in Guelph, Ontario, Paul scored his biggest season ever in 2004, piloting the winners of $5,865,450, with a record of 230 wins, 217 seconds and 195 thirds from 1,839 trips postward.

Paul Macdonell

1986 was the first year that Paul broke into the million dollar ranks, and he hasn't stopped that trend in 18 years. in 1992 he had his first $2 million-plus season, and in 2001 he banked $4.3 million in purse earnings. He accomplished that same feat in 2002 and 2003, before his standout season of nearly $6 million last year.

Paul made the record books when he scored his 3,000th victory on December 5, 2002 with the trotting gelding Perfect Bob. As of this writing (February 1, 2005), Paul has 3,502 career wins to his credit and well over $54 million in career purse earnings.

During his 24-year career as a driver, Paul has piloted many of the industry's best, including Breeders Crown winners and a whole host of multiple stakes combatants. However, he is probably best known for his partnership with the late great Canadian trainer, Bill Wellwood. Paul drove many horses for Wellwood and his daughter, trainer Paula, including Village Jiffy, Village Jasper, and Village Connection.

Paul Macdonell piloting Village Jolt

In 1990 Paul pulled off the biggest upset in Breeders Crown history by winning with the 69-1 shot Bays Fella, who triumphed over the favored Top Notcher. As well, Paul has piloted six Breeders Crown championship winners, including Bay's Fella (1990 Open Pace); Billyjojimbob (1991 Open Trot); Lifetime Dream (1993 Mare Pace); Village Jiffy(1994 Open Pace); Village Jasper (1997 Three-year-Old Colt Pace); and Duke Of York (2001 Two-year-old Colt Trot).