A conversation with Mark MacDonald, Part 2

by Murray Brown

Last week’s column dealt with the career of Mark MacDonald. This week we are doing a follow up, focusing on his observations on horses and people during his three decades as a participant in the sport.

You’ve seen them all. You’ve raced against and watched all of the great horses in your 30 years as a participant in the sport. Who were the best that you’ve seen?

“It’s not much of a surprise that among trotters it’s Muscle Hill and with pacers it’s Somebeachsomewhere. I’m guessing that if you polled most horsemen active in that time period, the vast majority of them would have felt the same.

“It’s really not that much of a horse race. These two did not only excel, they dominated. They were far better than not only their competition, but in my opinion, quite a bit better than any horses that I’ve been privileged to have seen.

“In each case, we never really saw how good they really were or perhaps could have become.

“It was to the great detriment of the sport that they retired to the stud after their respective 3-year-old seasons. They did that without ever, over any period of time, having been truly tested. I suppose that the argument could be made that Somebeachsomewhere was tested and defeated in the Meadowlands Pace, but the manner in which he went down was not a shame and the margin of victory was quite small. On the other hand, his wins, especially in the Messenger and the Confederation Cup, were among the greatest that I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing.

“Muscle Hill did not only dominate, he did so seemingly effortlessly. Never did he appear to be stretched out. Never did a single one of his races seem to be in doubt or close to it.

“In each case, I believe that if they had been allowed to come back at 4, they would have dominated in all age groups. I don’t think that a racehorse really comes of age, so to speak, until the latter part of their 4-year-old season. I think that if Muscle Hill, in particular, had come back, he would have dominated not only in North America, but wherever trotters are raised and raced. If he had been prepped for and raced in the Prix d’Amérique and Elitloppet, there is no doubt in my mind that he would have become and been recognized as the true GOAT of worldwide trotting.”

Who were the best that you’ve sat behind and steered?

“With trotters, it was undoubtedly King Of The North. He was an outstanding 2-year-old. He did not come back at his best early in his 3-year-old season. He did round into shape. By Hambletonian Day, he had become the trotter that we envisioned him becoming. If not for the misfortunes of racing luck, he might have won the race. Horsemen always have excuses and that is mine. There is no doubt though, that from that race forward, he was North America’s best 3-year-old trotter.

“With pacers, the two best that I’ve driven were Sportswriter  and American Ideal. Both were exceptional racehorses. For pure speed American Ideal might have been as fast a horse as ever lived. Sportswriter was a great racehorse. He is one of the few to have won the Metro at 2, who then came back to win the North America Cup at 3.”

Let’s talk about horsemen. Who is the greatest all-around horseman that you’ve known?

“There have been a few who were extraordinary. You mentioned Jean-Pierre Dubois. Some might say Jimmy Takter. Others will say Ronnie Burke. I’m not prepared to argue or disagree with you or them.

“For me it’s Ake Svanstedt. All I need to say is look at the record. His is exceptional.

“Sure, some might say that he has the money and owners behind him. This was not always so. He and others who have climbed the rungs of success, such as Burke, Takter, Melander, and others, almost always started at the bottom and worked their way up by working hard and achieving success as they competed.

“Among other things, what impresses me about Svanstedt is his ability to have horses ready to race when he enters them. It is rare when he has a horse in to race where that horse is not competitive. A horse may not have raced for months or even longer, but when Ake starts one it is always race ready.

“Another thing that really impresses me about his horses and his operation is the physical appearance of his horses. You never see one that looks dead in the shell. For lack of a better term, I would say they glow. Their coats shine. They are in good flesh. Rarely are they rigged in other than a simple manner. All those assets speak to his ability as an exceptional horseman.”

Who are the best drivers, both now and throughout your length of time in the sport?

“Today, most people would point to Dexter Dunn. I’m not inclined to disagree. In terms of ever, I would probably go to John Campbell. Referring to the present, although I might be somewhat prejudiced, I would include my baby brother James [MacDonald] in any conversation of great drivers.

“People might ask ‘What makes a great driver?’ Primarily of course is the undefinable God-given talent to be able to sense how he can best utilize the assets of the horse that he is sitting behind. Add to this, numerous other factors such as knowing his competition, both the horses and those that are driving them and the ability to sense the flow of the race and how to benefit from that flow.

“Speaking specifically of Campbell, Dunn, and James, the one factor that they share in common and one that I believe defines all great drivers is the absence of mistakes. If one were to ask me when was the last time that I saw John, Dexter or James drive a horse poorly, I would be hard pressed to come up with an answer.

“Simply put, they don’t make them or when and if they did, they made far fewer than anybody else.

“Dexter hasn’t been driving near as long as John did. Time will likely define where he ranks among the GOATs. But in a relatively short period, he has accomplished what few others have. The same applies to James. The question with him is whether he chooses to remain in Canada where he seemingly reigns alone or whether he chooses to hit the road on the Grand Circuit where he will be undoubtedly be competitive. We might get some idea on how things might go in following the racing year of Odds On Mr Mamba.”