by Tim Bojarski, Batavia Downs Media Relations

Batavia, NY — The youngest ambassador in the sport of harness racing will be the guest of honor at Batavia Downs on Sunday (Aug. 23), during Family Fun Day.

Sydney Weaver, 15, known to everyone in North American harness racing, and her parents Lisa and Don Weaver are driving down from their home in Ontario to Batavia Downs for their first ever visit to America’s oldest lighted harness track.

Photo courtesy of Batavia Downs

Sydney Weaver will be visiting Batavia Downs on Sunday.

Sydney is a phenomenal young woman who just graduated from eighth grade as an honor 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 favorite color). 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 favorite 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 trainer’s license.

Todd Haight, General Manager/Director of Live Racing at Batavia Downs, said, “Sydney is an inspiration to everyone, not just those in harness racing. 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 Downs is rolling out the red carpet in honor of Sydney’s visit with a race named in her honor.

When asked about her trip, Sydney Weaver 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.”