It is that time of year again! Time to honour the best of the best of 2013 in the 25th Anniversary of the O’Brien Awards. This year, as many of you are aware, will see the gala shift in location to Charlottetown, PEI. The past year has been a challenging one for our industry, but one constant is the ability of our stars to shine. Although the nominees aren’t available as I write, the cast of characters is sure to dazzle; it always does.

When I walk the halls of Standardbred Canada’s head office it never fails to give me pause. The portraits of who’s who in Canadian Racing adorn the walls. Some of the greatest athletes to ever look through a bridle, or sit behind a horse are immortalized in photos for all to see. Take pause and go back throughout the decades to remember some milestones in Canadian racing. Perhaps it was the first 2:00 mile in your region. Or perhaps it was legends like Keith Waples, recently chronicled on the SC website, and their contributions to racing.

Despite the external pressures our industry faces from coast to coast, we endure. At times we have thrived, and in time we will again. Our history is rich and our roots are strong. This year’s O’Briens promises to add another exciting chapter to an already storied past that is Canadian Standardbred Racing. I hope to see many of you in the Kentucky of Canada, Charlottetown PEI, for the 2013 O’Brien Awards.