Canadian Harness Horse of the Year

O'Brien Award
Awarded for	Canadian Harness Racing
Country	Canada
Presented by	Standardbred Canada
First awarded	1989
Website	www.standardbredcanada.ca

Canadian Harness Horse of the Year is an annual award in the sport of harness racing in Canada. It is the most prestigious Canadian award among those given to a Standardbred horse. Part of the O'Brien Award program, named in honour of legendary Canadian driver / trainer Joe O'Brien, since 1989 Horse of the Year honours the top performing pacer or trotter in Canadian racing. Operated by Standardbred Canada, its website states that "Every media person across Canada who covers harness racing on a regular basis receives a ballot, this includes writers for the various trade publications as well as those in print, radio and television. All Canadian race secretaries and track publicists also participate in the voting," and that "The voters' list is vigorously scrutinized each year with names added and deleted when necessary."

Through 2015, Somebeachsomewhere is the only horse win the award twice.

Both Western Dreamer in 1997 and Blissfull Hall in 1999 won the U.S. Pacing Triple Crown.

In 1996 and again in 2007 there was a tie.

Matt's Scooter (1989), Precious Bunny (1991), Artsplace (1992), Staying Together (1993), Real Desire (2002), Rainbow Blue (2004), Somebeachsomewhere (2008), Muscle Hill (2009), San Pail (2011) and JK She'salady (2014) also won American Harness Horse of the Year honours in the same year.

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