Standardbred Canada (SC) is now accepting submissions for its 2026 Media Excellence Awards, which will be presented to the winners at the 38th O'Brien Awards Gala.

The awards recognize exceptional storytelling and imagery that bring Canadian harness racing to a wider audience, celebrating the people, horses and moments that defined the year.

Submissions are invited in three categories:

• Outstanding Photograph
• Outstanding Written Work
• Outstanding Video, Film or Broadcast 

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. (EST) on Friday, Nov. 23. 

For complete eligibility requirements and submission instructions, click here. Entries and inquiries should be emailed to the Industry Development department by clicking here.

The 2025 winners are listed below.

John Rallis earned his second consecutive award for Outstanding Written Work with “A Grandfather’s Prophecy; A Young Driver’s Ascent.” Published in the August 2025 issue of TROT Magazine, the feature profiles driver Brett Beckwith’s career as he surpasses the expectations set for him.

Horse Racing Alberta and Shine Light Entertainment won the Outstanding Video, Film or Broadcast award for “The Crackers Hot Shot Standardbred Racing Video.” Produced by Jeff Robillard and Mike Little, the six-minute feature traces the pacing mare’s remarkable journey from near-death survival to success on the racetrack and as a broodmare. Posted on Horse Racing Alberta’s website on Oct. 25, 2025, the feature earned the partners their second win in the category, following their 2022 victory.

Claus Andersen received his third award for Outstanding Photograph, adding to wins in 2009 and 2011. His winning image captured The Last Martini and Miki And Minnie finishing in a dead heat for the win in the Breeders Crown final for three-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Oct. 25, 2025. The photograph appeared in the Oct. 26 issue of Harness Racing Update. 

(Standardbred Canada Press Release)