Standardbred Canada's Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the 25th anniversary of the O'Brien Awards, the National recognition for harness racing excellence, will be hosted in Charlottetown, P.E.I. on February 8, 2014.
The event is being hosted with the support of the PEI 2014 Fund as part of the 150th Anniversary celebration of the historic 1864 Charlottetown Conference that led to the creation of our Nation.
At a press conference held earlier today (Tuesday) in Charlottetown, P.E.I., the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of PEI, announced that the PEI 2014 Fund will make a substantial contribution towards the hosting of the O'Brien Awards on the island. "I would like to thank Standardbred Canada for its decision to hold the 25th O'Brien Awards here on Prince Edward Island," said Premier Ghiz. "There is a proud tradition of harness racing in our province, and we look forward to showcasing it to the leading industry participants from across North America."
The inaugural edition of the O'Brien Awards was presented in 1989. The Awards were named after the late Joe O'Brien as a permanent testimony to the unmatched skills of this legendary horseman. "Little Joe" was born in Alberton, P.E.I., on June 25, 1917, and was regarded as one of the premier all-round horsemen in the sport.
"We are very excited to take the O'Brien Awards to the Island, home of their namesake, the legendary Joe O'Brien for the 25th anniversary celebration. This is a unique opportunity and we know that it will be very well received by all of the harness racing participants and fans in Atlantic Canada," said John Gallinger, President and CEO of Standardbred Canada.
"It will certainly be an honour to host the national harness racing awards named for our very own Joe O'Brien," said Wes Sheridan, Minister Responsible for Harness Racing. "We are especially pleased that this is happening in 2014, a year where so many will come to our province to celebrate the anniversary of the historic Charlottetown Conference."
"The Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association is proud to partner with Standardbred Canada, and the Province of P.E.I. on this event," stated Tom Clark, PEIHRIA Vice Chair. "I would also like to thank our PEI Standardbred Canada Directors Bob Connolly, Brett Revington, and Kent Oakes, Red Shores Marketing Manager Lee Drake, as well as Dr. Colleen Dickie and her Horse Owners Committee for their leadership in making this happen."
The Island's year-long celebration in 2014 will play host to National meetings & conventions, sporting events, the East Coast Music Awards and much more with National and Regional media coverage to engage all Canadians with legacy projects and events.
The awards will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2014, at the new Prince Edward Island Convention Centre which adjoins the Delta Prince Edward.
Ahh Norm - Don't think
Ahh Norm - Don't think Ontario is going to give Standardbred Canada $46,000 towards the cost of hosting the event. The 2014 committee handling the 150th Anniversary celebrations and funded by the federal and provincial governments just announced they were doing that. Besides don't you think it's time SC reached out like this to its dues-paying members in other regions besides Ontario?
In reply to Ahh Norm - Don't think by Hal
Absolutely!! When other
Absolutely!! When other regions other than Ontario offer championship racing!! To be honored the best in the industry you have to be competing against and occasionally beating the best. Even during Old Home Week, this isnt happening in any other province.
In reply to Absolutely!! When other by Norm F
They are still honouring the
They are still honouring the best in the business it just so happens that the Awards aren't going to be in the city where most of the nominees reside. But I haven't heard of anyone else complaining so far and, as I said earlier, anyone that's ever been to PEI knows that a good time will be had by all who attend! Kudos to SC for branching out and acknowledging both harness racing in PEI and Joe's birthplace.
What a great way to honour
What a great way to honour not only Joe O'Brien, but harness racing in PEI. For anyone who has ever been to the Gold Cup and Saucer, they'll know harness racing is alive and well in PEI. Maybe not the best place to be in February, but the Island hospitality will be second to none.
Why would you move the awards
Why would you move the awards from an area of the country that is responsible for 98% of the winners to a province where you have ZERO??? PEI in February, cant think of any other place I'd rather be at that time year.
Not to mention that right
Not to mention that right now,while not the biggest, it's probably the most strongly supported (government/taxpayers,public, fans, bettors and business community)racing program in the country.
I love the idea. It seems as
I love the idea. It seems as though it would be poetic justice to have the O'Brien awards dinner in the province that the legendary Joe O'Brien came from.