Mitchell Cushing — From the Sulky to the Shedrow

Mitchell Cushing has quickly established himself as one of the brightest young stars on the New England harness racing scene.

A native of Michigan, Cushing was born and raised on a horse farm in Swartz Creek, where horses were a constant part of daily life. Growing up around a working farm with a training track, he developed an early understanding of the sport that would later shape his career.

Before fully committing to harness racing, Cushing was a highly competitive athlete from a young age. Beginning at just eight years old, he excelled in both football and national-level club soccer. His athletic career took a turn during his junior year of football when he suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, requiring reconstructive surgery. That setback ultimately helped redirect his focus toward harness racing.

Cushing’s athletic background remains evident in his approach today. Known for his work ethic and natural instincts, he brings a high level of competitiveness, awareness and preparation to both driving and training. He is a keen observer with the ability to process race situations in real time, while also emphasizing research, analysis and attention to detail in managing his horses—treating each one as an individual athlete.

He began driving at a young age, competing in amateur and fair races before turning professional at 18. His dedication and skill quickly translated into success, earning him hundreds of wins and establishing himself as a regular presence among the top drivers at Plainridge Park.

When the Plainridge meet is not in session, Cushing remains active on the circuit, including stops at Saratoga Harness.

Now adding another dimension to his career, Mitchell Cushing has stepped into the role of trainer, operating under his own banner, MC Racing Stable. Balancing the demands of driving with the responsibilities of managing his stable, he continues to show the same discipline and commitment that fueled his early success.

In 2025, Cushing finished fourth in the driving standings at Plainridge Park with 127 wins, while hitting the board at an impressive 47 percent clip. On the training side, representing MC Racing Stable, he recorded 28 victories, continuing to build momentum in his new role.

For his career, Cushing has amassed 1,462 wins and more than $14 million in earnings. Still in the early stages of his training career, he has already recorded 53 wins—further proof that his impact on the sport is only just beginning.

I caught up with Cushing to discuss his beginnings, influences, transition into training, and what continues to drive his success.

How did you end up getting connected with Ray Lasky, and how did that turn into co-owning horses together?
Ray and I were connected through Andrew Harris, who he was partnered with on some horses in Andrew’s barn. Ray was interested in expanding so he could race closer to home at Saratoga and Plainridge.

How did you first get introduced to harness racing growing up?
My family is from Maine, but I grew up in Michigan on our family farm that had a training track. I never spent a day away from horses. Whether they were retirees, ponies or someone renting stalls for their own stable, every moment of every day involved horses.

Who were some of your biggest influences early on?
Obviously, all members of my family. I jogged my first horse with my dad. I spent time jogging, rolling leg wraps and going to Hazel Park with Bob Barella, who stabled at our farm. I drove my first horse at Cornish for my grandfather, Rick. But most importantly, when I was too young for all of that, my grandmother Jayne fueled my imagination and obsession with the sport.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early on?
Confidence and fully trusting my program. A lot of us think hard work is the key, but there’s so much more in the details when it comes to horses. Building that confidence and understanding that my program is what produces results—not just labor—was a big challenge.

What made you decide to start training your own horses?
There are a lot of challenges in the industry that are out of your control. I always envisioned more and felt like I hadn’t yet reached my personal goals. Then the timing of a phone call from Ray aligned perfectly and everything just came together.

What’s been the biggest adjustment going from driving to training as well?
As a driver, once the race is over, it’s out of your hands. As a trainer, I’m the constant. The results—good or bad—are a direct reflection of what I’ve done.

Do you find training has made you a better driver?
Absolutely. I’ve developed better intuition and trust in horses. When something feels different, you learn to rely on those signs because you’ve spent so much more time with them outside of race conditions.

What does a typical day look like balancing both roles?
There are no slow days. The barn starts early. Horses get turned out before their work and chores are constant. Some days involve training, swimming or jogging. There’s also ongoing communication with the vet and blacksmith to stay ahead of everything.

What’s the toughest part of managing your own barn?
There’s always something that needs attention—whether it’s training, organizing shipping or making sure everything is done before heading to the track. It’s nonstop.

What keeps you motivated day in and day out?
I truly love the horses. It’s a business, but I value what they give us. I enjoy the relationships with them. Seeing them in the barn or out in the field every morning—that’s what I look forward to.

How do you handle the ups and downs of racing?
You can’t get too high or too low. During the good times, you still have to stay sharp. During the tough times, you can’t dwell—sometimes it’s out of your control. You just move on to the next day.

What does success look like for you going forward?
Growth—whether that’s in stats, horse quality or clientele. I’m always looking to expand and improve.

Toughest horse you’ve ever driven?
A horse I have now, Negotiator. He came from racing on big tracks and had a lot of challenges adjusting to a 5/8-mile track. It took constant attention and trial-and-error to get him where he is now.

One driver you looked up to growing up?
Tim Tetrick. When he moved east, I was at the age where I was completely obsessed with the sport. He could win from anywhere with any horse.

Favorite off-track hobby?
Living in Saratoga offers a great lifestyle. If I’m not racing, I usually start my afternoon with a coffee run downtown.

Fans can access the FREE online program all season long by visiting plainridgeparkharnessracing.com

and clicking the “Free Program” tab.

 

By Glen McNeil for the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England, Inc