Standardbred Canada (SC) is proud to partner with Western Fair District to host the 37th O’Brien Awards Gala on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at the J-AAR Expo Centre in London, Ont.
Greg Blanchard, Director of Equine Programming at Western Fair District, recently took time to discuss the organization’s broad scope and excitement to play host to the 37th O’Brien Awards weekend.
The Western Fair District is more than just The Raceway.
"When you mention Western Fair District to somebody, it means something different to everyone," said Blanchard.
He elaborated about what all goes on at the Western Fair District — it starts with the Western Fair Association.
"The Western Fair Association is a not-for-profit agricultural society governed by a Board of Directors and members that has been in existence for more 150 years," said Blanchard. “The cornerstone is the Western Fair. It’s one of the longest running agricultural fairs in Canada and kind of the backbone of everything we do. Our property is known as the Western Fair District and is located right in the heart of the city."
The District itself offers much more than just The Raceway, including a top-rated, year-round Market, a multi-purpose Sports Centre with four ice rinks and the home of the London Nationals junior hockey team, The Grove (an agri-business hub with startups, test kitchens and event space), and they are also the landlords of the Gateway Casino on-site and Dorchester Downs training facility.
"We [also] have the J-AAR Expo Centre, of course, the largest multi-purpose facility of its kind in the region which will showcase its versatility at the 37th O’Brien Awards Gala," explained Blanchard.
So, what is J-AAR (pronounced "Jaar") and how did it come to have its name on the former Agriplex?
"J-AAR is a huge, homegrown construction company based in London… one of the biggest in southwestern Ontario… really ingrained throughout the community," explained Blanchard. "We were looking for a naming partner for the former Agriplex, and after meeting with the folks at J-AAR, our philosophies as organizations are really quite well aligned… we share a lot of the same values. So we renamed the Agriplex the J-AAR Expo Centre a little over a year ago, and it's been a wonderful partnership. We're all excited to be able to host events like this, and I think to really showcase the versatility and the different uses that we have for this facility."
The facility hosts diverse events — from horse sales to the recent Taste Ex show, which drew 10,000-plus attendees — demonstrating its multi-purpose strength.
"Pretty cool. Right? To go from hosting a horse sale in October to just this weekend, we had the Taste Ex, formerly the Wine & Food Show… and about 10,000 people come through," he said. "We see ourselves as the heartbeat of the community and J-AAR never forgets their roots and the importance of their role in the London community.”
Blanchard and his team will also get an opportunity to showcase The Raceway at Western Fair District as well when they host a special night of racing on Friday, Jan. 30, following the Standardbred Canada All Members Meeting. Attendees can look forward to a commemorative edition O’Brien Awards souvenir race program and a specially priced buffet dinner ($45) in the Top Of The Fair Restaurant. O’Brien Award finalists and guests attending the races can take part in two special race presentations as well as tours of the paddock and announcer’s booth.
Blanchard wrapped up by saying, "We’re tremendously proud to play host to the O’Brien Awards for the first time ever in London. It was an idea we had discussed with folks at Standardbred Canada a few months back. We thought, based on past editions of the O'Briens, that we had all the amenities here between the racetrack and our site (The District) and the City of London that we could do a wonderful job of hosting the event. We are excited to welcome people to London and to our site, and can't wait to celebrate.”
Tickets for the O’Brien Awards are on sale until Monday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m. (EST). To purchase tickets, complete this form and return it to Jessica Street at [email protected].
(Standardbred Canada Press Release)