Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that prominent owner/breeder Marvin Katz of Toronto, Ont. has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Cam Fella Award.
Named in honour of the legendary Standardbred Cam Fella, the award recognizes individuals whose recent contributions have had a significant impact on Canadian harness racing. Katz is being recognized for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the sport through his work with the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge.
Founded by Katz in 2019, the Charity Challenge marked its seventh year in 2025 and has become a cornerstone initiative of the Breeders Crown weekend. Designed to connect championship racing with meaningful community impact, the program has annually raised funds within the harness racing industry for charities in each host community. Since its inception, the Charity Challenge has generated more than $2.4 million, a testament to Katz’s belief that the sport can — and should — make a difference beyond the racetrack.
Katz envisioned the Charity Challenge as more than a fundraising effort, aiming instead to build a lasting bridge between harness racing and the broader community. That vision was realized once again in 2025, as drivers, owners and industry leaders united around worthy causes while showcasing the generosity and spirit that define the sport.
Under his guidance, the 2025 Charity Challenge generated $450,000 for local charities. Four teams paired leading owners and drivers with charitable partners, with donations distributed based on on-track performance and community engagement. Each charity received a minimum of $80,000, and the allocation of the funds was based on several metrics, including the performance of the team’s owner and driver on the racetrack, plus the charity’s social media engagement. The 2025 beneficiaries were Food4Kids Halton, Milton District Hospital Foundation, the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and Kids Help Phone.
The 2025 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge marked the final year with Katz at the helm, as he prepares to pass leadership of the program to a new steward for the 2026 edition.
The Cam Fella Award honours dedication, innovation and integrity — qualities that Katz demonstrated through his work with the Charity Challenge. His leadership elevated the Charity Challenge into a unifying initiative that enhanced visibility, media interest and goodwill across the industry, while fostering pride and long-term engagement.
Katz will be presented with the Cam Fella Award at the 37th O’Brien Awards Gala on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at the J-AAR Expo Centre at Western Fair District in London, Ont.
To reserve your tickets, fill out the O’Brien Awards ticket reservation form and return it to Jessica Street at [email protected].
(Standardbred Canada Press Release)