by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — It is not uncommon for friends to meet every morning for coffee and donuts. It is a little unusual when one member of the group is a horse.

But when recalling the life of the trotter Mac Action, the norm rarely applies.

Mac Action, who went from unheralded racehorse to record-setting stakes-winner, was euthanized recently after fracturing his shoulder while running in his paddock. Mac Action, who won the 1997 Titan Cup and competed in that year’s Breeders Crown, was 21.

He spent his retirement years at Showplace Farms in central New Jersey in the care of Kevin McDermott and his family. McDermott trained Mac Action during his last seven racing seasons and co-owned the horse in four of those campaigns.

Mac Action was well known for his personality and appetite.

Dean A. Hoffman photo

Mac Action (#10 in photo) earned $489,470 in his career.

“He was everyone’s favorite at Showplace,” McDermott said. “He ate donuts, muffins and even pizza on a regular basis. He loved human food. He also shared sodas and coffee with whoever would come by and offer it to him.”

Mac Action’s early racing career was unremarkable and the horse was sold for $700 to an Amish farmer. Several years later, the horse’s former owner saw Mac Action in a field, liked the way the horse looked, and purchased him back for the same price.

Returning to the races at the age of 6, Mac Action won 43 races and earned $472,163 over the next eight years. He retired in 2003 with 46 wins and $489,470.

During his career, a portion of his earnings was donated to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, which led Freehold Raceway announcer Jack E. Lee to proclaim, “Thank you, Mac Action,” whenever the horse visited the winner’s circle there.

Mac Action’s win in the Titan Cup at Meadowlands Racetrack came in a stakes-record 1:53 against a field that included Wesgate Crown, who five weeks later won the Breeders Crown by a head over Moni Maker.

In addition to his Titan Cup win, Mac Action’s accomplishments included setting the track record of 1:56.1 at Harrington Raceway.

Photo courtesy of McDermott Family

Caitlin McDermott rode Mac Action after his racing career was over.

When Mac Action retired, McDermott’s daughter Caitlin, then 8 years old, learned to ride on the horse.

“They learned together,” McDermott said. “They went to a few Standardbred horse shows over the years. Mac loved bareback rides around Showplace Farms.”

He never forgot what it was like to be a racehorse, though. In 2006, Mac Action led the post parade for the Titan Cup at the Meadowlands.

“When we got to the turnpike exit for the track, Mac started screaming with excitement,” McDermott said. “He yelled from the tollbooth to the stable gate; he was so excited to be there.”

After Mac Action’s accident, McDermott and his family had to make the difficult decision to euthanize the horse.

“We couldn’t let him suffer,” McDermott said. “Our whole family came to say goodbyes. I went to the snack shop and got Mac a muffin and vitamin water for one last treat. I was losing a best friend; my first stakes-winning horse. We stayed with him to the end.”

McDermott and his family will have plenty of fond memories of their friend.

“I will never forget Mac,” McDermott said. “He was a true champion, with the heart to win. He showed my family love.

“Thank you, Mac Action.”