Bill O'Donnell is as straight a shooter as they come. The multiple Hall of Famer isn't known to mince words when asked.
So it stands to reason that if he says it was "quite an honour" to be recognized by the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) as the 2025 recipient of the Stan Bergstein Proximity Award, he means it.
O'Donnell's sincere humility was no more evident than in a post-awards interview with Standardbred Canada's John Rallis. In classic Bill O'Donnell style, that humility came with a seasoned side of dry humour.
"I mean, there's a lot of people I think should have had it before me but if they're giving it away, I'm taking it, right?" said O'Donnell in his signature style.
The highest honour USHWA bestows based on voting only by its members and given for outstanding achievement in/service to the sport, O’Donnell compiled one of the greatest careers a driver has ever had, and since retiring from the sulky has stayed a major influence as president of the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA). He is a well-respected industry leader, having a firm grasp on the sport’s major issues while serving on several industry boards.
"For a lifetime achievement, I know it had nothing to do with racing. I mean, my future's in the past there," O'Donnell continued. "But I thought it was pretty nice that people would recognize you for what you've done in the business, or spent your life in it."
To watch the interview with O'Donnell and Rallis, where they also discuss the transition from participant to industry executive and the success of Canadian-bred horses on the Grand Circuit level, click the play button below.
(Standardbred Canada)