A Future Star, And A Future Star Fulfilled
It was a surreal feeling for Damian MacLellan when the young horseman heard he made the cut for the 2025 Future Star Award as one of three finalists. And it was even more surreal when he heard his name called at the 2025 O'Brien Awards this past Saturday, Jan. 31 at the J-AAR Expo Centre in London, Ont.
But the award winner had a different feeling this past spring, about a horse that showed him the kind of talent that garners national honours. That horse: Canada's Two-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year, A Clean Deal.
"I helped train her down all spring and she was incredible for Kyle Fellows all year," said MacLellan of the O'Brien Award winner that had him back on stage about eight minutes after winning his individual award. "I kind of thought she was a little bit special training her down but I didn't want to get too high on her."
Full Standardbred Canada Story - A Future Star, And A Future Star Fulfilled | Standardbred Canada
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Many of MacLellan’s family and friends, from ‘down home’, made the trip to London for O’Brien Awards Weekend. Below are a few photos from Friday night’s race card that saw visitors, from all over, take in a race from the ‘Eye in the London Sky’.
L to R - Christa Shaw, Sugar Doyle, Lilly MacDonald, Cole Mullins and Madison Poirier. (Donald MacLellan)
L to R - Lou MacDonell, Sugar Doyle, Blenise Young and Keith MacDonell - family and friends of driver Mark MacDonell. (Crystal Atkinson)
Griff MacDonald with Sugar Doyle - Griff is the son of James MacDonald and Jenna MacDonell. (Jenna MacDonell)