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 at the Hilton Mississauga / Meadowvale.

The iconic bronze bust of Hall of Famer Joe O’Brien has stood the test of time, and is one of the most coveted trophies in harness racing. This marks the 31st edition of the Awards which honours Canadian champion horses and horse people.

O’Brien ballots will be sent out to the voters on December 3 and the finalists will be announced on Wednesday, December 18. Earlier this year, SC’s Board of Directors approved some changes to the O’Brien Award Eligibility policies for Horse Awards and the Future Star Award. Click here to read the announcement about the changes.

Eighteen O'Brien bronzes will be awarded for the 2019 racing season. Thirteen of these honour the premier horses over the past racing season including the most coveted trophy, the Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year. In addition there are five awards for people, one each for Driver of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Future Star Award, Armstrong Bros. Farm Breeder of the Year and the O'Brien Award of Horsemanship. If there is a recipient for the prestigious Cam Fella Award, the winner will also be recognized at the O’Brien Awards.

The Media Excellence Awards, sponsored by Ontario Racing, and honouring exceptional work in covering Canadian harness racing, will also be presented that evening.

A reminder that submissions for both the Cam Fella Award and Media Excellence Awards are due this Friday, November 29.

Tickets and program ads will go on sale on December 9 and you can order these by contacting SC’s Member and Stakeholder Relations Department at 905-858-3060 x 207 or x 243.

For additional information on the O’Brien Awards, click here.