Standardbred Canada is proud to present the Virtual O’Brien Awards Gala this evening, on standardbredcanada.ca, and on HPItv Canada.

Due to the provincial lockdown in Ontario, the entire production is being done remotely which means that our O’Brien emcees, and entire production team are all in their own homes, and thanks to technology we can bring the show to you!

Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy your evening!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31

Watch on standardbredcanada.ca
(Links to video streams will be posted in a Live Coverage note, starting at 5:00 p.m.)

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (EST) — Red Carpet Live
Sponsored by Grand River Raceway

(Also available for viewing on SC’s Facebook page)

6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. (EST) — Video Greetings & Intermission

7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (EST) — 2020 Virtual O’Brien Awards Show

The online stream, made possible by Standardbred Canada, is brought to you by co-sponsors Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals ~ Effective Supplements Through Science, and Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The Virtual O’Brien Awards Gala will feature live cut-ins with some of the finalists and winners, along with cut-ins from Red Shores Racetrack Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park, who are hosting a sold out VIP Gala.

Order of Presentation

• Media Excellence Awards

• Outstanding Groom Award

• Future Star Award

• O’Brien Award of Horsemanship

• Horse Divisions (two-year-olds, three-year-olds, older horses)

• Armstrong Breeder of the Year

• Driver of the Year

• Trainer of the Year

• Horse of the Year

There are lots of opportunities for viewers to get involved in this year’s Virtual Gala! Here’s all the information:

Digital Program (click here to open in a new window, allow time to load)

Program 2020 Final

Virtual Online Photo Gallery
Sponsored by OnTrack Media & Entertainment

Have some fun and take some photos with the O’Brien Virtual Photo Booth! Click here to get started! You can also scan the QR Code below.

Show Us Your Boots & Bling Best Dressed Contest
Sponsored by Tara Hills Stud

Send your photos in for the “Show Us Your Boots & Bling” Best Dressed contest for this year’s virtual event to [email protected] In addition to bragging rights, the winners will each receive a $50 HPI card, a $100 TrackIT credit, and a gift basket from 13th Street Winery. The deadline to enter is noon on Tuesday, February 2. More information is available here.

Online Silent Auction Ending Tonight!

Proceeds will benefit SC’s educational partnerships with Equine Guelph. Auction is open now and closes at 9 p.m. (EST) sharp tonight! Click here to check out the items and bid!

Social Media Hashtag #obriens20

Standardbred Canada will also provide live updates on the event through its social media channels. For anyone tweeting or adding photos to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, please use the #obriens20 hashtag.

Standardbred Canada would like to thank all of the Industry Partners and Sponsors for their support of the 2020 O’Brien Awards:

• Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park – host track partner for a VIP O’Brien Awards Gala.

• The Central Ontario Standardbred Association, sponsors of the finalists’ VIP Celebration Baskets.

• Ontario Racing, sponsor of the Media Excellence Awards.

• Horse Racing Alberta for sponsoring the O’Brien post-event video interviews, which you will see on our website for the week following the awards.

• Grand River Raceway for sponsoring the Red-Carpet live broadcast.

• The Hambletonian Society for sponsoring the Video Greetings.

• Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals & Woodbine Entertainment, for sponsoring the video stream.

• OnTrack Media and Entertainment, an American Teletimer company, sponsor of the online photo gallery.

• The Raceway At Western Fair District for their contribution as Industry Partners.

• Tara Hills Stud for sponsoring the Best Dressed contest.