At the recent Standardbred Canada Board of Directors meeting, the O’Brien Awards Committee proposed a recommendation to the Board of Directors that the O’Brien “Driver of the Year” award be renamed the “Keith Waples Driver of the Year” in honour of Mr. Keith Waples, a Canadian driving legend, who recently passed away.
The O’Brien Awards Committee recommended to the Board that Mr. Waples was a leading role model and influencer to so many drivers, old and young, and that this rare recognition be bestowed upon the great legacy that Mr. Waples has left.
Bill McLinchey, Chair of the Board, released the following statement: “This is not something that happens every year and it is a rarity that a sport comes across an individual that has done so much for the industry and the people involved in it. Keith was one of a kind and admired and loved by so many that the Board felt it was the least that it could do to recognize the extraordinary efforts and achievements of Mr. Waples. The decision was passed, as one would expect, unanimously by the Board at the July meeting.”
Further details of the Keith Waples Driver of the Year award will be announced by Standardbred Canada soon.
What a horseman, it is so
What a horseman, it is so nice to see that his legendary attributes are recognized by the association. I sat at the table with him and his friends for dinner almost every day at the Garland Tavern for dinner when he would come to Bleu Bonnets to race... he was so friendly and knowledgeable and I would sit there and listen. His friend and mine,the late Sonny Edwards, may he and Keith rest in peace, would tell jokes, what nice memories I have of those wonderful days. Thank's for the recognition, that brought back those wonderful memories Standerbred Canada. A well deserved tribute.
We are very grateful to the
We are very grateful to the Standardbred Canada Board for deciding to name this prestigious award after Dad. What an honour. He would be pleased but probably wouldn’t show it much. From the family of Keith Waples.
To name this award after "The
To name this award after "The Master" is very fitting. Keith Waples is a Canadian legend. Thank You Standardbred Canada Directors.
How absolutely fitting!
How absolutely fitting!