Mark MacDonell is successfully growing into his famous last name
by Matthew Lomon
If Mark MacDonell had a dollar for every time somebody asked if he was related to Hall of Fame reinsman Paul MacDonell, he’d probably be living on some beach somewhere without a care in the world.
However, it’s a question the native of Port Hood, NS never gets tired of answering.
“It’s an honor when people ask me,” Mark said. “Paul’s father, Blaise, and my grandfather, Donald Alex, are brothers. That makes us cousins.”
Mark, now a driver himself, recalls countless days as a youngster, back home with his father Lewis, watching Paul excel in the race bike.
“My dad and I rarely missed any of Paul’s races,” Mark said. “Growing up in rural Nova Scotia — in the winter months or any other time of year — you’d throw the races on. And with Paul being the Hall of Famer he is, you always had somebody to cheer for in every race.”
While following in his family’s formidable footsteps was a “no-brainer” for Mark — a fourth-generation horseperson on the MacDonell side and third on his mother’s side (Walsh) — the grandson of famed Maritimes horseman Doug Walsh made sure to cover his bases first.
“I always wanted to do this for a living, but I’m also an electrician by trade,” Mark said. “I was up here [in Ontario] for just shy of two years and then I moved back home and went to Nova Scotia Community College – about 60 kilometers from my home. I did that just to have a backup plan.”
After graduating, Mark started a full-time position at Hansen Electric in Prince Edward Island, but work began interfering with his time at the barn, and something needed to change.
So, in 2022, he ventured back to Ontario to pursue a career in standardbred racing, picking up a wealth of invaluable lessons along the way.
One of those teachings — shoeing — Mark grasped during his time working for the Cullen family, which he did for a little over four years.
“I remember a horse when I worked for the Cullens in 2019-20 called Grits N Gravy, who I ended up buying,” Mark said. “He needed to be shod, and I asked Travis [Cullen] to shoe him. He said no, but he, his dad Ron [Cullen] and Ed [Hensley] all were there helping me while I did the work myself.”
Shoeing his own has become commonplace for Mark, who remains forever grateful for the Cullens, and Travis in particular, for helping him sharpen his game on and off the track.
“I can’t thank the Cullen family enough,” Mark said. “Travis taught me a lot of lessons that didn’t always have to do with horses but life in general. He’d be one of my biggest idols and mentors.”
Cullen’s expertise was especially evident after Mark acquired a brown pacer by the name of Dapper Fella, a horse Mark describes as his “stepping stone.”
At the time of purchase, early 2024, Mark had only been driving sparingly with a modest maiden filly.
However, once he took hold of Dapper Fella and “really started to drive,” it only made sense to consult the man with more than 2,700 driving wins and $24 million, and counting, on his résumé.
“Travis always told me this is a good horse for me to learn how to drive because he was a trip horse,” Mark said. “He told me, ‘Anybody can put a horse on the front and go down the road, but it takes skill and knowledge to be able to work a trip out.’”
On Feb. 25, 2024, at Flamboro Downs, the student became the master.
Mark, making just his 18th career start, turned the tables on Cullen and even-money choice Excavator, pulling away with Dapper Fella for his first career driving win.
Some 16 months later, the poetic 6½-length triumph still doesn’t feel real.
“To be honest, it was very surreal,” said Mark. “Crossing the wire and pulling up, you couldn’t smack the smile off me.
“I’ve watched thousands of races and been at the track my whole life, but watching it this time, I felt something I never had before. It felt new but it wasn’t at the same time. It was a weird combination, but it was surreal.”
Returning to the paddock and being doused with water by his fellow drivers after the race was another bucket list moment.
“That was cool,” Mark said. “Luckily, none of the boys filled up any of their own water. The water they found was pretty warm.”
In the months that followed, the devoted driver continued to expand his repertoire as a versatile horseman, pouring a significant amount of time and energy into the training side of the discipline.
“Training is my favorite part,” he said. “I like getting up in the morning, turning them out, and sitting down for a couple of minutes to soak it all in.
“I really enjoy training and driving my own because you know what you have when you go out there; you have a better idea of what to expect.”
Mark’s path, whether piloting his own or catch driving, has taken him all over Ontario.
This year alone, he has competed at Flamboro, The Raceway at Western Fair District, Hiawatha Horse Park, Grand River Raceway, and Dresden Raceway.
Mark’s time at Dresden has been uniquely special, as on June 1, he contested the Little Saratoga Pacing Series (formerly known as the Mark Austin Memorial Pacing Series).
Though it was his first time driving in an elimination of a final, for the 24-year-old, it felt like home.
“It was great; the atmosphere was awesome,” Mark said. “It reminded me a lot of racing at home because the crowd was there for the horses. They weren’t there to bet — of course, they were still betting — but it didn’t draw them to the races. The backside was all tailgates and umbrellas; they made it very exciting.
“It’s a hike from Guelph, where I’m based now, but it’s very much worth it for me. I got a lot of serenity out of it.”
After finishing fifth in the first leg of the series with Our Aurora, Mark finished as runner-up with the 3-year-old filly to Cullen in leg two on June 8 before landing in fourth in the final on June 5.
Today, Mark’s career continues to progress at what sometimes can feel like a rapid pace.
Finding time to slow things down and live in the moment hasn’t always been easy, but it’s something he’s learning to embrace.
“I was told I needed to do that more and that’s what I’ve been trying to do – make the most of every opportunity and not take anything for granted,” Mark said.
Opportunities to learn from the sport’s finest, including his cousin Paul, feel endless at Classy Lane, where he currently stables.
“I have Hall of Famers all around me,” Mark said. “It’s so cool to jog, look around and see Paul, Chris Christoforou, Roger Mayotte, Dave Menary, Anthony Beaton, the list goes on.
“I might ask too many questions, but it’s all for educational purposes. In this industry there’s so much for you to learn every day. Everyone has their own craft.”
Living out his dream every day isn’t something that’s lost on the humble horseman from out East.
He hasn’t forgotten those whose support drove him to pursue a career in racing, just as he remains eternally thankful to the folks whose selflessness has allowed him to carve a path of his own.
“If it wasn’t for my parents always having one or two
horses with a true love for the game, my life might be a lot different,” Mark said. “They are huge supporters of me and a lot of my immediate family rarely misses a race – I can’t thank them enough. Also, all the boys from the Irish Road [Horseman’s Club] growing up were like having 10 close uncles.
“I can’t thank enough people for all they’ve done for me along the way. Everybody back home and everyone here with me now, I can’t put into words what it all means to me. I’m just incredibly grateful.”
