Virtual O’Brien Awards Gala Hosted by Blanchard and Portuondo on February 6th
- Horse racing ‘Oscars’ will be streamed via the internet, starting around 8 PM (EST).
- The theme is Boots and Bling, send photos using #obriens21.
- Some changes will be made to the Award of Horsemanship.
Horsemanship At Its Highest
The official 2021 Virtual O’Brien Awards Gala will be held on February 6th, with Greg Blanchard and Jason Portuondo as hosts. Standardbred Canada and horse people all around Ontario all have high expectations since O’Brien Awards are ‘the Oscars’ in the world of horse racing, both in terms of glamour and significance.
This year, we have the opportunity to watch fancy guests in luxurious gowns and tuxedos via the internet stream. The gala will start between 8 and 8:30 p.m. (EST), and for this year’s edition of the event, the theme will be Boots & Bling. It is supposed to inspire the audiences, both at home and at the gala, to fully dress up as classy countrymen and countrywomen, and post their photos using the hashtag #obriens21.
Last summer, Standardbred Canada announced that some changes to the O’Brien Award of Horsemanship will occur. The Award will now recognize a trainer with the highest standard of horsemanship, in addition to outstanding care and training of Standardbreds, respect for the horse and its wellbeing, and successful training of young stallions.
One of the hosts, Greg Blanchard, is the director of Sales and Retail Operations for Western Fair District, beloved by many for his work ethic, who previously co-hosted the event in 2010 and 2015. Jason Portuondo, a member of Woodbine’s broadcast team, will co-host the Gala for the sixth year in a row. For the last two years, Portuondo was also known for weekly editions of Racing Night Live.
