from Western Fair Media Relations

London, ON — Doug McNair became the youngest harness racing driver to reach 1,000 career victories on Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 14) at Western Fair Raceway.

Iron Horse Photo

Doug McNair won his 1,000th career race with Greystone The Grad on Tuesday at Western Fair.

It was fitting that the milestone was reached at the London, Ontario track where just two years ago the now 20-year-old scored his first lifetime win. That was aboard Eagle Kay, a horse trained by his father, Gregg McNair, and was also Doug’s first pari-mutuel drive, a sign of things to come.

McNair reached the 1,000 win mark with Greystone The Grad in Tuesday’s fourth race as the even-money favorite. The 4-year-old gelding used a second-over trip to notch the milestone victory in 2:01.3.

“My horse felt really great at the half and I thought I had a big chance,” said McNair afterwards from the winner’s circle. “I had a little trouble tracking that other horse (Bad Cop) down but we did it.”

With that win McNair surpasses Matt Kakaley as the youngest driver to 1,000 in the win column. Kakaley achieved it when he was 21 years and three months old while McNair will turn 21 on December 29.

The run towards 1,000 wins has garnered a lot of support from local media and those both within and outside the industry. McNair has enjoyed every minute of it.

Iron Horse Photo

Doug McNair is congratulated in the winner’s circle after the milestone triumph.

“It’s been amazing. I’d like to thank everyone for their support — all the people who were watching and phoning and texting me. It’s been unbelievable.”

McNair became the first driver under 21 to win 500 races in one season. He achieved that goal last week at Windsor Raceway. In 2008, his first year of driving at age 18, he became the youngest driver to ever hit the $1 million mark in earnings.

This year he is the leading driver at Western Fair and also captured driving titles at Grand River and Woodstock Raceway. He currently has 505 wins this year with C$4.7 million in earnings.

“It’s a big thrill, I’m living the dream right now. I wanted to be a driver ever since I was little. Looking back now I don’t know how I ever thought I was going to be, it’s a lot harder than it looks,” Doug told Sam McKee when he was a guest at the Meadowlands last weekend.

McNair calls his dad a big influence in his career.

“He’s the best guy to drive for, he never tells you what to do. He’ll tell me when I drive one bad, but I usually know, he’s good that way.”

Doug’s richest victory this year was aboard his father’s 3-year-old pacing colt Aracache Hanover in the C$547,000 Confederation Cup Final at Flamboro Downs.

“I’ve watched that race my whole life. I was in it last year and to come back and win it this year was awesome.”

McNair actually could have reached the milestone earlier had it not been for some weather cancellations last week at Western Fair and then a flight delay Monday from New Jersey which caused him to miss the first five races of the program.

Here’s a link to the coverage of Doug McNair’s milestone win on the A Channel.