In the first of two features, Trot Radio profiles the first-time O'Brien Award finalists in the Future Star category.

Patrick Shepherd, 21, of Lynden, ON, trained 116 winners and horses to $555,002 in earnings in 2013. His Canadian win total ranked as the fourth best among all conditioners, as did his .384 training average.

"I landed some really good owners and they invested some money, and I got horses that were in the right classes and in the right spot," said Shepherd on his breakout year, pointing to the success of horses like Rock On Moe and Mach It Big to help propel him to the top of the Canadian trainer standings.

Shepherd also acknowledged the influence of his family in his success, pointing out his father Harold and brother Robert.

"My dad taught me everything I know," noted Shepherd, "and my brother Robert pretty well set me up in Ontario."

Last Saturday at Flamboro Downs, the Shepherd brothers put on a training and driving clinic with Patrick scoring a training hat trick and his brother driving double that number of winners. It would appear that the momentum Patrick Shepherd ended 2013 with is continuing into 2014, and the PEI native is hopeful that it will continue into Charlottetown next Saturday for the O'Brien Awards.

"Regardless of what the outcome is, it's absolutely unbelievable to be there. To have family -- most of all my grandmother, she's there -- they don't have to fly up here for it or anything like that, we're right there."

To listen to the full interview between Borg and Shepherd, click the play button below.

Tune in later on Thursday for the interview with Shepherd's co-finalist, Travis Cullen.

Trot Radio - Episode 314 - Patrick Shepherd, finalist for Future Star Award

Audio Format: MP3 audio

Host: Norm Borg

The opinions expressed are those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.