The 37th annual O’Brien Awards, celebrating top performers in Canadian harness racing, will be hosted in London, Ontario for the first time. The two-day event runs from January 31 to February 1 at the Western Fair District’s JARR Expo Center. Greg Blanchard, director of equine programming at Western Fair, highlights that the awards honor leading trainers, drivers, and horses, and are considered the “Oscars” of the standardbred racing industry. Traditionally held in the Greater Toronto Area or Prince Edward Island, this marks a significant occasion for London to host the prestigious ceremony.

Named after Joe O’Brien, a legendary harness racing figure from Prince Edward Island in the 1960s and 70s, the awards recognize excellence in the sport nationwide. The black-tie event will feature local finalists and celebrate the achievements within the Canadian harness racing community. The main awards ceremony is scheduled for the evening of January 31, from 8:30 to 9:30 P.M.