O'brien Awards

2019 O’Brien Awards Details

November 28, 2019

As the stakes season winds down, the industry’s attention turns to year-end honours and awards. The 2019 O’Brien Awards, presented by Standardbred Canada will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2020 ...

O'Brien Awards Eligibility Changes

November 12, 2019

Standardbred Canada’s Board of Directors approved changes to O’Brien Award Eligibility policies for Horse Awards and the Future Star Award at its most recent Board meeting.

Last Call For Cam Fella Nominations

November 07, 2019

Nominations for the Cam Fella Award are now being accepted and must be received by Friday, November 29 at 5:00 p.m. (EST) to be considered for the 2019 award.

James, Coleman On McWicked

February 27, 2019

Ed James says he has a simple formula for success. Surround yourself with people who know what they’re doing and let them do it.

‘Determination’ Pays Off In Full

February 17, 2019

When the dust settled from the 2018 O’Brien Awards, trainer Luc Blais and the Determination stable walked away with a very respectable haul. Both of the outfit’s two O’Brien nominees, Emoticon Hanover...

A Long & Winding Road To The Top

February 16, 2019

If playing word association, participants in harness racing would rarely think Western Canada if asked about trotting and trotters. Yet so begins the tale of The Ice Dutchess, Canada's Two-Year-Old Tr...

Run Director Picks Up The Pieces

February 14, 2019

"It's funny because Alarm Detector was supposed to be there and he had a terrible year...[Run Director] picked up the pieces."

Absence Makes A Heart Grow Fonder

February 13, 2019

"It feels fantastic really. It’s something that seemed like a regular thing for us for awhile. But it’s been five years since I’ve been here and you start to appreciate how difficult it is [to win]."

Shower Play Managed Masterfully

February 12, 2019

"As a two-year-old we really thought she was the real deal. Sylvain Filion drove her, he did a great job with her...he kept saying 'she's a Gold filly, she's a Gold filly'."

Jimmy Freight Hauls Home Hardware

February 11, 2019

"There were some great horses -- Dorsoduro [Hanover], Courtly Choice, Lather Up, [who] was also nominated...he’s a fantastic horse. This Is The Plan came around late, they were pretty even the whole y...

O’Brien Awards Flashback Video

February 08, 2019

In 1989, the world wide web was born, the first episode of The Simpsons aired on TV, the first GPS satellite was put into orbit and the O’Brien Awards were conceived.

2018 O’Briens Highlight Video

February 07, 2019

This past Saturday night Standardbred Canada honoured the best in Canada harness racing at the 2018 O’Brien Awards 30th Anniversary Black Tie Gala.