Another $2 million year for Brandon Campbell

Brandon Campbell has been one of the top harness racing drivers in western Canada over the last several years. He really put an exclamation point on his career when he earned over $2 million as a driver in 2022. This feat has never been done before in this region of the country, and the feat was thought to be impossible. Even Campbell thought it would be hard for him to repeat his performance based on his quote from late last year when he spoke with Harnesslink.

“I’m not going to lie; the year wore me out,” Campbell said. “There was a lot of back and forth. I was racing in one province until midnight, then getting on a plane on a plane to come home. It was a seven-day-a-week situation all year long. I’d have to be a robot to be able to continue that.”

Even Campbell couldn’t forecast that he would match but outdo his 2022 this year. He has already surpassed his 2022 total of $2,056,905 by almost $10,000, and he still has six weeks left on the calendar. As of November 21, 2023, Campbell has 266 wins this year, which ties his 2022 total, and it took him fewer starts to achieve that. Campbell had 1117 starts in 2022 but is only at 961 as of November 21, 2023.

With more than a month left on the calendar, it will be exciting to see how high Campbell can reach. He will suit up Friday (Nov. 24) at Fraser Downs for the pair of $100,000 three-year-old B.C. Bred Stake Finals. He will be in charge of the reins for the heavy favourite in the filly division, Side Piece (Shadow Play). The young pacer is riding a six-win streak and only has one loss this year, which was second place in the Gord and Illa Rumpel Memorial Stake Final.

On the boys’ side, Campbell will steer Domi (Living It Up), who heads into the finals at 3-1 morning line odds. They are not the favourite to win this one, but barring anything whacky, they should earn a cheque at the least.

Campbell is slated to drive 14 races at Fraser Downs over Thursday (Nov.24) and Friday (Nov.24). The combined purse total for those races is $285,300. Suppose he can manage to win one of the B.C. Bred Finals and string together some other good drives, Campbell could easily be over $2.1 million in yearly earnings as a driver.  

Another quote from Campbell when he spoke to Harnesslink in 2022 shows his passion and commitment to the sport.

“My favourite place in the whole world is when I’m lining up behind the gate,” Campbell said. “It’s where I’m the sanest, calmest, and most happy. People ask me what my hobby is, and it’s that moment. It’s when I’m lining up against everybody, and the gate lets us go.”

Watch Campbell this weekend at Fraser Downs on Thursday (Nov.23) and Friday (Nov. 24).

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink