The 37th annual O’Brien awards are coming to London.
This two day event will run between Sat. Jan. 31., and Sunday Feb. 1.
Blanchard shares that this is London’s first time hosting the awards.
“ Well, this is the first time that we’re hosting the O’Brien here in London, Ontario, and at the Western Fair District, you know, we’re tremendously honoured to be chosen the host site this year. It’s the first time, as mentioned, that it’s been held here.”
These awards are for the top performers in the country for harness racing which includes leading trainers, drivers and leading horses says Greg Blanchard who is the director of equine programming with the Western Fair.
Blanchard mentions that the event is usually held in the GTA and has moved to PEI before and now it will be in London.
Blanchard talks about the event and the atmosphere for the awards.
‘ This is the National Award, National Standard Bred Racing Awards Night, so basically for the standard bred horse racing industry, this is our version of the Oscars, so it’s a black tie affair.”
Blanchard mentions that there is a couple of local finalists for this year’s awards.
Blanchard also mentions what these awards are for and the history behind the event.
“The awards themselves are named after the late Joe O’Brien. He’s a Prince Edward Island native that in the 60s and 70s was one of the leading figures (2:37) in the sport of harness racing in North America, and really was a legend of Canadian harness racing.”
The awards will take place on Sat. Jan 31, between 8:30 P.M. and 9:30 P.M. at the JARR Expo Center.
