Inverness Raceway’s horse of the year for 2025 was Windemere Best Man. Owned by Beverley McIsaac and Danny Gillis, who does the training and driving, it is the second time in the past three seasons the seven-year-old has won the award.
-by Bill Dunphy
For the second time in his five-year connection with Inverness Raceway, Windemere Best Man was named horse of the year for 2025 at Friday’s annual awards banquet at the Inverness fire hall.
Owned by Beverley McIsaac, of P.E.I., and Port Hood trainer/driver Danny Gillis, the gelded son of Malicious out of Art Blanche had eight wins, six seconds, and two third-place finishes in 23 starts last season for earnings of $10,299 as a seven-year-old.
With a best time of 1:57.3, Best Man was a top contender in the top class, notching five wins and four seconds.
Best Man first made his debut in 2021 as a three-year-old for owners Simon Poirier and Chad MacDonnell and trainer Lanny Hanscombe. He was named horse of the year in 2023 and was sold to McIsaac and Gillis in July of last year.
McIsaac was unable to attend the banquet, but in an email said, “Best Man is a beautiful horse who loves his home track. He had a fantastic 2025 and looking forward to the new racing season starting up.”
The annual banquet recognizes the efforts of the trainer, drivers, owners and, of course, the horses that keep Inverness Raceway a going concern year after year.
Following the delicious turkey dinner catered by Red Seal chef Sharon MacEachern, of Judique, head table guests gave a few words.
A piece on the history of the raceway, written by Oran columnist and author Frank Macdonald, was read by Bill Dunphy.
Inverness MLA Kyle MacQuarrie noted the strong, generational ties of the track and noted, “How important your work and your enjoyment is for the community.”
Track announcer Gordie MacNeil reminded everyone to respect the people that were her before you, including those who have passed and who are still active in the sport. He also noted those who are making their living with harness racing, including Wayne MacLean, Donnie Rankin Jr., Joe MacIsaac, Jamie Copley, Logan Gillis, Meghan MacPherson, Keith and Mark MacDonell, and Damian MacLellan.
Shane Ryan, who announces at Northside Downs and occasionally in Inverness, said there is a “sheer sense of belonging” among the Inverness racing community.
Mare of the year for 2025 was Bettie White. Owned by the mother-son team of Darlene and Brock MacLellan, the four-year-old fan-favourite grey mare, trained by Zach Mullins, had six wins, five seconds and a third in 21 starts for earnings of $7,798.
I Got Socks was a triple winner on Friday for owners Anita Gillis and D.F. Beaton. The five-year-old stud horse, trained by Beaton, had the most wins at Inverness with 10. Along with six seconds and three thirds, and earnings just shy of $11,000, I Got Socks was the top $9,000 claimer of the year. And for all the Fantasy Stable Contest players, he was the top horse in 2025.
Whats Up Doc was the Iron horse of the year, collecting three wins, three seconds and five thirds in 18 starts for owner/trainer Wayne MacLellan.
The Route 19 Racing stable out of Long Point came on strong in 2025, making three trips up to the podium on Friday.
With the most wins last season, the stable collected 15 along with 13 seconds and seven thirds.
Leading the way for Route 19 Racing was nine-year-old Southfield Sandy which won the $7,000 claimer of the year award. Trained and driven by Lewis MacDonell, the Western Paradise gelding was 8-2-2 in 17 starts for earnings of $7,156 and a top time of 1:57.4.
As well, Route 19 Racing’s 11-year-old campaigner Free Proof earned a tie for the $5,000 claimer of the year award.
Free Proof was 3-4-2 in 18 starts with a best time of 1:59.4.
The GG Stone and Mac Stable of Port Hood also earned a share of the $5,000 claimer award with their 12-year-old stud ABs Future.
Locally bred, by the sire Driven To Win and the mare Trudys Future, and trained by Bernie MacDonald, ABs Future had a 3-4-4 record and a top mile of 1:59.
Divisional champions included:
Two-year-old filly: Effie May Clay, owned by Donald MacEachern and trained by Walter Walker.
Two-year-old colt: Galway Bay, owned, trained and driven by Monica Sutherland.
Three-year-old filly: PA Ava, owned by GG Stone and Mac Stable, trained by Bernie MacDonald.
Three-year-old colt: One Can Dan, owned by Redmond Doucet Jr. and trained by Lennan MacIsaac.
Moving on to the human awards, veteran horseman John Wayne MacInnis was the recipient of the Gerard Kennedy Celtic Financial award for his lifelong dedication to harness racing.
John Wayne began his career in Inverness in 1965 at the age of 15 and through the 1970s and 80s established himself as good driver, owner and trainer. Today, he busies himself at Venture Downs in Port Hawkesbury where he helps out at the Kennedy stable.
Another longtime horseman was recognized on Friday.
Angus MacQuarrie received Inverness Raceway’s Lifetime Dedication award, presented by the Mullins Stable and Meagan MacQuarrie. Unable to attend, the award was accepted by his daughter Angela MacArthur, granddaughter Laura, and brother Alex Trapper.
Zach Mullins’ career year last season was recognized by him receiving awards for most wins as a trainer with 20 and most wins as a driver with 25.
Mullins shared the driving award with Danny Gillis, who also recorded 25 wins.
Redmond Doucet was the busiest driver in 2025, receiving the award for most drives with 141.
Top drivers with 70-plus starts: 1. Danny Gillis, UDRS of .483; 2. Lewis MacDonell, .416; 3. Zach Mullins, .361.
Top drivers with 25-69 starts: 1. Andrew MacLean, .287; 2. Travis MacLean, .251; 3. Ardon Mofford, .237.
Top trainers with 40-plus starts: 1. Zach Mullins, UTRS of .406; 2. Lewis MacDonell, .392; D.F. Beaton, .384.
Top trainers with 10-39 starts: 1. Danny Gillis, .666; 2. Kevin MacDonald, .456; 3. Andrew MacLean, .419.
The top grooms for 2025 included: Stuart MacKinnon of Mullins Racing; Lily MacLean, Todd and Monica Sutherland’s stable; Will Basker, with Ronnie Garland stable; James Doyle, with Redmond Doucet stable; and Cole Mullins, of Mullins Racing.
And last, but not least, Daryl and Patti Parsons were recognized as Inverness Raceway’s top fans for 2025.