History
Established in 1989 to honour the absolute best in Canadian harness racing over a given year. These are the highest honour the sport bestows upon its stars. The O'Briens are hosted by Standardbred Canada.

Number of Awards
Seventeen O'Brien Awards will be given out for the 2011 racing season. Thirteen of these honour the premier horses over the past racing season including the most coveted trophy, Canada's Horse of the Year. The horse awards are divided by age, sex and gait.
In addition there are four awards for people, one each for Driver of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Armstrong Bros. Farm Breeder of the Year and the O'Brien Award of Horsemanship.
The O'Brien Award of Horsemanship recognizes the Standardbred participant who best exemplifies the standard of horsemanship demonstrated by Joe O'Brien. Nominees are persons involved in more than one aspect of the industry and can be trainers, drivers, owners or breeders.
Standardbred Canada has established a committee of eight that determines the candidates for potential nominees for both the O'Brien Award of Horsemanship and the Armstrong Bros. Farm Breeder of the Year.
The remaining two O'Briens are for Trainer of the Year and Driver of the Year.

Where
Delta Meadowvale Hotel
6750 Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2L3
Hotel Reservations: 905-542-4003
or toll free 1-800-422-8238

When
January 28, 2012

Nominees
Nominees in each category will be released in December, 2011 and the winners announced at the O'Brien Awards.

Time
6:00 p.m.: Cocktail reception - Graydon Hall Foyer
7:00 p.m.: Dinner followed by the presentation of the 2011 O'Brien Awards

Dress
Black Tie

Tickets
$200 per person which includes GST.
(Visa & Mastercard Accepted)
May be obtained by calling the Industry Marketing Department at Standardbred Canada at 905-858-3060
Fax: 905-858-3089.
Tables of 8 or 10 are available but must be reserved at least one week prior.

Industry Meetings
Annual Meetings of members for the following organizations are also being held at the Delta, in the Hazel McCallion Room, as follows:
Standardbred Canada - 1:00 p.m.
O.H.H.A. - 2:00 p.m.

More Information
Kathy Wade Vlaar: kwvlaar@standardbredcanada.ca