Zach Mullins built a meaningful connection to a life in racing

by Chris Lomon

The man from Inverness is in the zone.

Once an active coal mining hub, the town of Inverness, NS, has transformed into a golfer’s dream destination, showcasing world-class golf courses that draw duffers from across the globe. Inverness Beach, a long, scenic stretch of sandy coastline, is a haven for swimmers and beachcombers alike.

But for standardbred horseman Zach Mullins, Inverness is more than just a vacation destination – it’s a field of horse racing dreams.

“People love horse racing here,” said the 25-year-old Mullins, who is also a full-time carpenter. “I have been around it all my life and that will never change. Being around the horses and being at the races is something I truly appreciate and love.”

Mullins showed early promise in the race bike during his 2020 rookie driving season, just two years after he began his training career. He notched 11 wins from 75 starts that year, including his first career driving victory on July 26 at Inverness Raceway.

He piloted Whim Roader, a son of Nukamiki out of the Water Tower mare Water Sprite, to a commanding wire-to-wire, four-length win in race 3 at the half-mile Nova Scotia oval.

“My dad [Richie Mullins] and I were looking for a cheap claimer to race at Inverness,” said Zach, whose first training win came when Tuckers Best was best of six at Inverness on Oct. 14, 2018. “We brought him home and he had terrible feet, but we worked with him, and we were able to get him right. That win will always be special.”

To date, Zach’s best season in the sulky, in terms of wins, came in 2023 when he recorded 24 victories. On the training side, he’s already set a slew of personal-best marks in 2025.

Zach, who is atop both the trainer and driver standings at Inverness this year, didn’t expect his 2025 campaign to turn out the way it has – but he’s not questioning it.

“I definitely never saw it coming,” he said. “There was never really anything that made me think any of this was going to happen.”

A big part of that success has come from Windemere Barkley, a 2-year-old son of Somewhere Fancy. Zach trains and co-owns the colt with his brother, Cole. The horse, bred by Windemere Farms in Springvale, PEI, has quickly become the star of Zach’s stable.

Windemere Barkley captured one of six $8,000 P.E.I. Colt Stakes Grassroots divisions for rookie colts on July 16 at Summerside Raceway. The Mullins brothers purchased him for $3,500 (Hip #138) at the 2024 Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale.

In five starts, he’s delivered four wins — all in stakes company — and a second-place finish. His most recent triumph, a 4½-length blowout at Charlottetown Driving Park, was completed in a career-best mile of 1:59.1.

“When we first got him, I hadn’t seen any photos online,” Zach said. “But I did know his breeding because I had his brother, Windemere Albert, a couple years earlier. He had injuries early on, but he was a very nice 2-year-old and 3-year-old. He was just a kind horse to be around. My brother and I went to go see him [Windemere Barkley] because we liked his brother so much.”

The siblings liked what they saw in the horse with eye-catching conformation and a modest price tag.

“We saw him, and he was just phenomenal,” Zach said. “He was full of muscle, big, and just so kind. And the way he carried himself once we got him into the barn was outstanding. He was so natural in everything he did. He hit the pace the first time I brought him onto the track.”

It was then that Zach began to believe he had a special horse under his tutelage.

A qualifier ahead of his first lifetime start on June 29 — he was second at Inverness in his debut — solidified that credence.

“I was sitting third into the five-eighths turns in a training trip and I kicked him out two-wide and he went by them as if they had stopped,” Zach said. “That’s when I realized the type of speed he had.

“His last win, he did it so easily. Hopefully, he will keep moving forward.”

Zach currently has seven horses in his barn. While he continues to balance horse racing with his carpentry career, he has no shortage of support in the backstretch.

His father, who handles the head maintenance role at Inverness, remains a constant source of wisdom and encouragement.

“When I started in the business, my dad always told me there are going to be some bad days and tough times, but you need to persevere, and you need to enjoy the good moments,” Zach said.

And then there is local legend Alex ‘Trapper’ MacQuarrie.

“He’s 77, he had almost 1,300 career driving wins, lots of training wins, and so much knowledge about horses and horse racing,” Zach said. “He’s pretty much like my grandfather. He has been around since I was a kid and he is my dad’s best friend. He always has great advice and he’s an amazing helping hand in the barn. He jogs my horses every day.”

The MacQuarrie family remains closely involved with the Mullins operation.

“Alex’s niece, Angela MacArthur, co-owns a horse with me, Woodmere Novak, and Trapper jogs him,” Zach said. “Angela also owns Light My Shadow. Alex’s brother Angus MacQuarrie, who is turning 90 this week, co-owns Yacht Seelster and Woodmere Novak.”

Having a front-row seat for a horse racing master class is not lost on Zach, whose other brother, Ross, is a bylaw officer for Inverness County, who also helps out in the barn.

“I can’t believe how lucky I am to have so many great people who love the game helping me out,” Zach said. “I don’t take any of that for granted.”

Although carpentry remains his main livelihood, Zach has built a meaningful connection to a life in racing.

On most nights, you’ll find him exactly where he wants to be: at the racetrack.

“It’s a great atmosphere and there are so many wonderful people – it is like a community,” he said.

A community Zach is grateful to be part of.

“Racing isn’t my full-time job, but I treat it like it is,” he said. “I have the same work ethic at the racetrack. Work harder every day, treat your owners and horses with respect.

“I have a group of great owners – Donnie, Darlene and Brock MacLellan, Jimmy and Angela MacArthur, Jimmy and Jamie Struthers. I’d like to thank them all for their support and just being all around great people in the harness racing game.”

As for his own main objective in racing, it is anything but complex.

“Winning more races would be nice,” Zach said with a laugh.

Hardly a longshot for a horseman who’s clearly in the zone.