[2] O'Donnell was given the nickname the "Magic Man" for being able to drive a horse seemingly past its limitations.
[citation needed] In 1982 and 1984 he was voted the Harness Tracks of America Driver of the Year award.
A native of Springhill, Nova Scotia, he was the leading driver at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, for many years and established a number of records with respect to wins and earnings.
In 2001, O'Donnell moved back to Canada, settling in Acton, Ontario, to focus more on training horses.
He currently serves as President of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association, which has the racing contract with the largest track operator in Canada, Woodbine Entertainment Group.