"We never knew she was Sylvia Hanover until she put her nose behind the gate. And every start, [her specialness] grew and grew and grew...I hope it's not done growing."
Standardbred Canada announced the winners of the 2022 O’Brien Awards, honouring Canada’s best in harness racing over the past season, at the Black Tie Gala on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. It was the 34th edition of the O’Brien Awards, named in honour of the late Joe O’Brien, an outstanding horseman and member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Shawn Steacy was a finalist for the O'Brien Award of Horsemanship, as well as Trainer of the Year. He didn't take home either of those trophies but he did obtain his first O'Brien as a trainer courtesy Sylvia Hanover.
The unanimous selection for Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year, and runner-up to Bulldog Hanover for Horse of the Year, Sylvia Hanover finished off her nine-start year with a record of 8-1-0, and $903,300 in the bank. Owned by Hudson Standardbred Stable of Quebec, the daughter of Always B Miki's list of accomplishments included victories in the Champlain Stakes, Shes A Great Lady Stakes final and the Breeders Crown final, which were all held at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
No stranger to the stage at the Hilton Meadowvale / Mississauga, Steacy discussed his first O'Brien Award winner as a trainer and the lessons he has taken most to heart from his O'Brien Award winning father, Mark. Shawn's interview with Standardbred Canada's Jeff Porchak and Brittney Mayotte appears below.