Horse racing’s equal of the Academy Awards shall be held on the fifty fifth annual ceremony on Thursday, January twenty second.th yearly Eclipse Awardheld on the Breakers Resort in Palm Seashore, Florida. The Eclipse Awards acknowledge the very best in North American Thoroughbred racing and are voted on by Nationwide Thoroughbred Racing Affiliation (NTRA) workers. every day racing typemember of the Nationwide Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). This 12 months’s occasion is sponsored by Resolute Racing and shall be broadcast on FanDuel TV. The night’s festivities start at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail celebration and pink carpet present hosted by Spendthrift Farm, adopted by the awards ceremony starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Learn under for fascinating details concerning the Eclipse Awards.
1) The Eclipse Award started in 1971 as a method to consolidate earlier awards and promote the game of horse racing. every day racing type and the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Affiliation each acknowledged champion racehorses of the mid-2020s.th century, DRF At instances, two completely different horses have been acknowledged as Horse of the Yr, together with in 1970 when the DRF voted Fort Marcy and the TRA acknowledged character. In 1971, horse racing publicist JB Faulconer chaired a committee that introduced collectively turf writers and executives to create a unified awards system.
2) The award is known as after some of the influential thoroughbreds in historical past. Faulconer named the brand new award after Eclipse, some of the profitable racehorses of 2018.th After a century in Britain, he has develop into an much more distinguished stallion, and his genetic affect might be present in round 95% of recent Thoroughbreds. To study extra about this legend and his affect on the game and the award, try Keeler Johnson’s article.
3) Along with the distinguished Horse of the Yr Award, there are 17 sectional Eclipse Awards. The Eclipse Awards acknowledge horses by age (2 years, 3 years and up), gender, monitor (grime and turf), and there may be additionally an award for steeplechase winners. The Eclipse Award can also be given to the very best jockey, apprentice jockey, proprietor, breeder and coach.
4) Eight horses have been chosen as Horse of the Yr a number of instances. The primary three had been introduced early within the award’s historical past. Secretariat in 1972 and 1973; Forego (1974-’76); and Affirmation (1978-’79). The following 5 are John Henry (1981-84), Cigar (1994-1995), Carlin (1997-1998), Clever Dan (2012-13), and California Chrome (2014-16). Final 12 months’s Horse of the Yr, Torpedo Anna, is a finalist within the 2025 Dust Outdated Feminine Division, however her hopes of successful Horse of the Yr are slim.
5) 18 3-year-old horses had been chosen as Horse of the Yr. The primary was the 1973 Secretariat and the latest is the 2024 Torpedo Anna. Sixteen of the 18 had been male and, unsurprisingly, all had been voted champions of their divisions. Previous to Thorped Anna, the one 3-year-old filly to be named Horse of the Yr was Rachel Alexandra, who went undefeated in eight races in 2009, defeating stallions 3 times.
6) Seven mares/mares had been chosen as Horse of the Yr. They’re: All Lengthy (1983); Ladies’s Secrets and techniques (1986); Azerbaijan (2002); Rachel Alexandra (2009); Zenyatta (2010); Harbor de Grace (2011); and Torpedo Anna. All Alongside is the one turf filly to win Horse of the Yr.
7) 9 horses had been named champion 2-year-old colts after which went on to win the Kentucky Derby of their 3-year-old season. For the primary 10 years of the Eclipse Prix, this sample was nearly fixed, with Reve Ridge, Secretariat, Silly Pleasure, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and Spectacular Bid all capitalizing on their early potential to win the Derby (and three of them went on to win the Triple Crown). However then there was an enormous hole between 2006 and 2007 and Avenue Sense. Since then, American Pharoah and Nyquist have gained the Rose for the Run, additional growing the status of the Junior Championship. American Pharoah completed this on his method to successful the Triple Crown.
8) 4 jockeys who obtained the Eclipse Award for Excellent Apprentice Jockey additionally obtained the Eclipse Award for Excellent Jockey throughout their careers. Chris McCarron, Steve Causen, Kent Desormeaux, and Julien Leparou. Kosen, often known as “The Child,” gained Eclipse in each classes in 1977. in entrance He gained the Triple Crown driving Affirmed. Kosen was additionally named Sportsman of the Yr. sports activities illustrated In 1977.
9) Since 1995, solely eight trainers have gained the Eclipse Award of their occupation. Over the previous quarter century, this class has been relegated to a choose few. 7 out of 8 have gained a number of Eclipses throughout this era. Checklist: Todd Pletcher (8, most ever). Chad Brown (5 instances, together with final 12 months). Bob Baffert (4); the late Bobby Frankel (4 of 5 complete); Invoice Mott (4); Steve Asmussen (2); and Brad Cox (2). Present U.S. Senate candidate Dale Romans gained his solely Eclipse in 2012. The 2025 finalists for Excellent Coach are Brown, Cox and Mott, that means this unique membership will stay the identical for one more 12 months.
10) Different Eclipse Awards acknowledge lifetime achievement and media excellence. These award descriptions change ceaselessly and is probably not awarded in a selected 12 months. Nonetheless, the 2025 media class winners have already been introduced.
