John Macmillan

Biography:

Introduced to the sport of harness racing at Kingston Park Raceway as the race secretary and announcer at 17, John MacMillan has been associated with Harness racing for 38 years, amassing over 1800 wins in his sport and over $10.5 million in total purse earnings during his career as a driver and trainer, a milestone he reached in 2025. John has filled many roles in the sport he loves, from driver, trainer, and groom, to blacksmith, announcer, track management, race secretary and horseman’s representative during his career.

When Kingston Park Raceway closed, John moved to Ottawa and began his long association with the Rideau Carleton Raceway, where he continued to build his reputation. It was here that he began his management role, but he could not resist his desire to train and race his own horses too. John was named the Top Trainer for 2009 with 133 wins, and the Top Trainer for both wins and total purse earnings in 2014. In 2019 John repeated his Top Trainer in wins and winnings with recognition from Kawartha Downs. His best year was in 2007, when he trained 184 winners, earning just under $1 million on the track.

John loved calling races, and until 2024 when his voice began to fail, he was the Rideau Carleton Race Announcer, along with announcing at Blue Bonnets in Montreal and Connaught Park in Aylmer. John created special events at the track that included amateur driving and amateur announcing competitions, along with the Colville Cup
He has a passion for the sport that is shown not just in his accomplishments on the tracks, but also in his support of his sport beyond the track. He is credited with helping create the National Capital Region Harness Racing Association, where he remains as a director for the organization.

John MacMillan has a reputation within his sport as being a mentor to young drivers and trainers, a man of integrity, and as one who not only occupied a position, but excelled when he took on a task in harness racing. In February 2026 He will be awarded The Unsung Hero Award by the US Harness Writers Association in Orlando.