Local Harness Racer Competes in World Driving Championships
Photo of Brett Beckwith via the Saratoga Casino Hotel.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Brett Beckwith, a Saratoga Springs High School graduate and Wilton resident, is currently representing the United States at the 2025 World Driving Championships in New Zealand. The championships include more than 20 heats run at five different racecourses across the country.
On Sunday, Beckwith earned a second-place finish from two drives at the Kaikoura Trotting Club, placing him fourth overall in the opening round of competition. He also finished third in a Nov. 2 race. As of Nov. 4, Beckwith was 7th in the championship standings with 28 total points.
“It’s been a blast so far,” Beckwith told Harness Racing New Zealand earlier this week after his second-place finish.
Beckwith launched his career as a driver at the Saratoga Casino Hotel’s harness track when he was only 18 years old. In 2021, he won 69 of 625 starts, earning the Johnny Page Driver Breakthrough award. In 2024, he was the leading driver at Saratoga with 306 wins. In his career thus far, Beckwith has accumulated at least 1,399 first-place finishes in 8,353 starts for a total purse of nearly $14 million.
The World Driving Championships will continue with additional race days scheduled for Nov. 7, 9, and 11.