Award
TheAmerican Award for Horse of the Year , or simplyHorse of the Year ,[ 1] [ 2] Eclipse Awards , is the highest honor given in Americanthoroughbred horse racing . Because Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has nogoverning body to sanction the various awards, "Horse of the Year" is not an official national award.[ 3]
The Champion award is a designation given to a horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year was deemed the most outstanding. The list below is a Champion's history compilation beginning with the year 1887 published by theThoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association 'sThe Blood-Horse [ 4] ESPN as "the Thoroughbred industry's most-respected trade publication".[ 5]
In 1936 a Horse of the Year award was created by a poll of the staff ofThe New York Morning Telegraph Daily Racing Form tabloid founded in 1894 that was focused on statistical information forbettors .[ 6] Baltimore -basedTurf and Sport Digest magazine.[ 7] advocacy group , theThoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) inaugurated a competing award in 1950, selecting its winners from votes by racing secretaries from member tracks across the United States. The three systems resulted in different opinions as to "Horse of the Year" Champions in 1949, 1952, 1957, 1965, and 1970.[ 8] National Turf Writers Association to merge into one set of awards, called theEclipse Awards .[ 9]
Historical notes on winners [ edit ] In a rare occurrence, two two-year-olds topped the balloting for 1972 American Horse of the Year honors withSecretariat edging out thefilly ,La Prevoyante . Secretariat received the votes of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and theDaily Racing Form , while La Prevoyante was chosen by the National Turf Writers Association.[1]
Kelso , who placed 4th inThe Blood-Horse top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century , won "Horse of the Year" honors five consecutive years.Omaha is the only winner of theU.S. Triple Crown that was not voted "Horse of the Year" honors.
Most wins:
5 –Kelso (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964) Most wins by atrainer :
Most wins by an owner:
The 2003 Eclipse Awards marked a significant change in the way that honors were decided.
Under this format, voting is conducted by selected members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, theDaily Racing Form , and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (formerly National Turf Writers Association). The winner of the Eclipse Award for American Horse of the Year is the horse who has received the most first-place votes.[ 10]
Year Horse Trainer Owner Age Sex Votes (Share) Runner-Up Votes (Share) Ref 2024 Thorpedo Anna Kenneth McPeek Nader Alaali, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing 3 Filly Sierra Leone [ 11] 2023 Cody's Wish William I. Mott Godolphin 5 Horse White Abarrio [ 12] 2022 Flightline John Sadler Hronis Racing 4 Colt Malathaat ,Life Is Good , Country Grammer2021 Knicks Go Brad Cox Korea Racing Authority 5 Horse Letruska ,Loves Only You [ 13] 2020 Authentic Bob Baffert Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing 3 Colt Monomoy Girl [ 14] 2019 Bricks and Mortar Chad C. Brown Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence 5 Horse Mitole [ 15] 2018 Justify Bob Baffert China H. C., Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing andWinStar Farm 3 Colt Accelerate [ 16] 2017 Gun Runner Steve Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC &Three Chimneys Farm 4 Colt Arrogate [ 17] 2016 California Chrome Art Sherman California Chrome LLC 5 Horse Arrogate [ 18] 2015 American Pharoah Bob Baffert Ahmed Zayat 3 Colt N/A N/A [ 19] 2014 California Chrome Art Sherman Steven Coburn, Perry Martin 3 Colt Main Sequence [ 20] 2013 Wise Dan Charles LoPresti Morton Fink 6 Gelding Mucho Macho Man [ 21] 2012 Wise Dan Charles LoPresti Morton Fink 5 Gelding I'll Have Another [ 22] 2011 Havre de Grace J. Larry Jones Fox Hill Farms 4 Filly Acclamation [ 23] 2010 Zenyatta John Shirreffs Jerry & Ann Moss 6 Mare Blame [ 24] 2009 Rachel Alexandra Steve Asmussen Stonestreet Stables 3 Filly Zenyatta [ 25] 2008 Curlin Steve Asmussen Stonestreet Farm et al.4 Colt Zenyatta [ 26] 2007 Curlin Steve Asmussen Stonestreet Farm et al.3 Colt Rags to Riches [ 27] 2006 Invasor Kiaran McLaughlin Shadwell Racing 4 Colt Barbaro [ 28] 2005 Saint Liam Richard E. Dutrow Jr. M/M William K. Warren Jr. 5 Horse Afleet Alex [ 29] 2004 Ghostzapper Robert J. Frankel Frank Stronach 4 Colt Smarty Jones [ 30] 2003 Mineshaft Neil J. Howard Farish / Webber / Elkins4 Colt Congaree [ 31]
The 2002 Eclipse Awards were the last conducted under a voting bloc system, in which each of the three voting groups could only cast a single collective vote based on the polling of that group's members. In the event of an overall split vote, the award would go to the horse who had received the most points - each group's vote awarded ten points for first place, five points for second place, and one point for third place. In the event that there was a tie on points, the award would go to the horse who had received the most individual first-place votes.
Daily Racing Form ,Turf & Sport Digest and Thoroughbred Racing Association Awards[ edit ] Daily Racing Form andTurf & Sport Digest Awards[ edit ] The Blood-Horse retrospective champions[ edit ] ^ "BC Champion Cody's Wish voted Horse of the Year at Eclipse Awards" .Breeders' Cup . January 26, 2024. RetrievedAugust 21, 2024 .^ Ehalt, Bob (January 25, 2024)."Cody's Wish Earns Horse of the Year Honors" .The Blood-Horse . RetrievedAugust 21, 2024 . ^ "February 7, 2008" .BloodHorse.com . 2008-02-07. Archived fromthe original on 2013-12-31. Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ "The Bloodhorse.com Champion's history charts" (PDF) . Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ "Nack: The Final Furlong" . ESPN Sports. August 5, 2003. Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ "Thoroughbred Heritage – Horse of the Year" . Tbheritage.com. Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ Chapel, Jessica."How the Eclipse Awards Came to Be" .Hello Race Fans . Retrieved2012-02-27 . ^ "American Racing Champions 1936–1970: Horse of the Year" . Tra-online.com. Archived fromthe original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ "TRA Eclipse Awards: Horse of the Year" . Tra-online.com. Archived fromthe original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ "How It Works: A Detailed Look at How Eclipse Award Winners Are Chosen - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report" .^ Ehalt, Bob (January 23, 2025)."2024 Eclipse Award Winners Are Announced, Thorpedo Anna Voted 2024 Horse of the Year" .National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) . RetrievedJanuary 23, 2025 . ^ Ehalt, Bob (January 25, 2024)."Cody's Wish Earns Horse of the Year Honors" .BloodHorse . RetrievedJanuary 26, 2024 . ^ "Knicks Go Voted Horse of the Year" (Press release). National Thoroughbred Racing Association. February 10, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 11, 2022 .^ "Authentic Voted 2020 Horse of the Year" . 29 January 2021. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Bricks and Mortar Voted 2019 Runhappy Horse of the Year" . 24 January 2020. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Justify Voted 2018 Horse of the Year" . 25 January 2019. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Gun Runner Voted 2017 Horse of the Year" . 26 January 2018. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "California Chrome Voted 2016 Horse of the Year" . 22 January 2017. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "American Pharoah is Unanimous 2015 Horse of the Year" . 16 January 2016. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "California Chrome Voted 2014 Horse of the Year" . 17 January 2015. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Wise Dan Voted 2013 Horse of the Year" . 18 January 2014. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Wise Dan Steals Show at 2012 Eclipse Awards" . 19 January 2013. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Havre de Grace voted 2011 Horse of the Year" . 16 January 2012. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Zenyatta Crowned Horse of the Year" . Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ Finley, Bill (19 January 2010)."Rachel Alexandra Wins Horse of the Year" .The New York Times . Retrieved17 Sep 2021 . ^ Finley, Bill (27 January 2009)."Curlin Repeats as Horse of the Year" .The New York Times . Retrieved17 Sep 2021 . ^ "Curlin named Horse of the Year" . Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Eclipse Awards - Invasor is Horse of the Year" . 23 January 2007. Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Saint Liam Voted Horse of the Year Honors; Also Top Older Male" . Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Ghostzapper Ends Up the Smartest Money" .Los Angeles Times . Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Mineshaft strikes gold in Eclipses" . Retrieved17 Sep 2021 .^ "Fort Marcy Top Horse" .Ottawa Citizen . 1970-12-01. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "How Horse of the Year voters play the game" .Daily Racing Form . Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Arts and Letters named 1969 Horse of the Year" .Ellensburg Daily Record . Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Dr Fager named Horse Of the Year" .Evening News . 1968-12-05. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "D. Fager Named Horse of the Year" .Lewiston Morning Tribune . 1968-11-27. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Dr Fager Top Horse" .Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . 1968-11-13. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Damascus Chosen Horse of Year" .Pittsburgh Press . 1967-11-24. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Damascus Only Pick for Horse of Year" .Schenectady Gazette . 1967-11-28. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Horse-of-Year Honors Gained by Buckpasser" .New York Times . 1966-11-23. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Racing Magazine Names Buckpasser Horse of Year" .New York Times . 1966-12-06. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Roman Brother:Horse of the Year" .Ocala Star-Banner . Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Filly Takes Horse of the Year" .Youngstown Vindicator . 1965-12-03. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Moccasin choice as top horse" .Beaver County Times . December 7, 1965. Retrieved2012-04-30 .^ "Kelso Makes Sweep of Racing Honors" .Pittsburgh Press . 1964-12-08. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Kelso "Horse of the Year" .News-Dispatch . 1963-11-26. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Kelso Named Again as Horse-of-Year" .Saskatoon Star-Phoenix . 1963-12-06. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Kelso Horse of the Year" .Spokesman-Review . 1962-11-24. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Experts Name Kelso Horse of the Year" .Fort Scott Tribune . 1961-11-29. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Kelso Picked Horse of the Year" .Prescott Evening Courier . 1960-11-30. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Sword Dancer Picked as Horse of the Year" .Montreal Gazette . 1959-12-20. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Round Table is Selected Horse of the Year" .Washington Observer . 1958-11-26. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Horsemen Argue Top Selection" .Washington Reporter . 1957-12-06. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Bold Ruler Captures Horse of the Year Honors" .St. Petersburg Times . 1957-11-26. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Bold Ruler Horse of the Year in Consensus of Turf Polls" .Youngstown Vindicator . 1957-12-21. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Swaps Top Horse" .Saskatoon Star-Phoenix . 1956-12-19. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Swaps Top Horse Of Year In Poll" .Los Angeles Times . 1956-11-28. Archived fromthe original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ [ Displaying Abstract]."Poll Names Nashua Horse of the Year" .New York Times . Retrieved2012-02-27 . ^ "And Now It's Official, Nashua is the Champ" .Ocala Star-Banner . 1955-12-09. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Native Dancer Horse of Year" .St. Joseph News-Press . 1954-11-27. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ Roach, James (1954-12-03)."Native Dancer Named Horse of Year" .New York Times . Retrieved2012-02-27 . ^ "Tom Fool collects one more Horse of the Year" .Spokesman-Review . 1953-12-04. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Tom Fool Catches Foe Native Dancer at Last" .Deseret News . 1953-11-13. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ Roach, James (1952-12-05)."VANDERBILT COLT IS HORSE OF YEAR" .New York Times . Retrieved2012-02-27 . ^ "Native Dancer Horse of the Year" .St. Petersburg Times . 1952-12-20. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Name One Count Horse of the Year" .Greensburg Daily Tribune . 1952-11-24. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Counterpoint Named Horse-of-the-Year" .Lewiston Daily Sun . 1951-11-19. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Counterpoint, Citation are Honored" .Deseret News . 1951-12-20. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Hill Prince earns another Ballot as Horse of the Year" .Miami News . 1950-12-19. Retrieved2012-02-27 .[permanent dead link ] ^ "Capot chosen "Horse of Year" .Pittsburgh Press . 1949-11-27. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Coaltown is named "Horse of the Year" .Schenectady Gazette . 1949-12-14. Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ "Citation Named Horse of the Year in National Poll" .Reading Eagle . 1948-12-04. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Armed Selected Horse of Year" .Spokesman-Review . 1947-12-16. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Assault is Named Horse of the Year" .Edmonton Journal . 1946-12-06. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Busher Wins Nation's Top Turf Honors" .Youngstown Vindicator . 1945-12-10. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Twilight Tear Horse of Year" .Miami News . 1944-12-04. Retrieved2012-02-27 .[permanent dead link ] ^ "Tear voted outstanding 1944 Horse" .St. Petersburg Times . 1944-12-18. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Count Fleet named Horse of the Year" .Pittsburgh Press . 1943-12-18. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Whirlaway is again winner of Horse of Year Crown" .Calgary Herald . 1942-12-16. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Whirlaway cops honor for year" .Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . 1941-12-09. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Experts name Challedon for Horse of the Year" .Sarasota Herald-Tribune . 1940-12-11. Retrieved2012-02-27 .^ "Challedon and Bimelech receive top racing recognition" .Palm Beach Post . 1939-12-12. Retrieved2012-02-26 .[permanent dead link ] ^ "Seabiscuit voted best of 1938 crop" .Prescott Evening Courier . 1938-12-12. Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ "War Admiral gets High Award" .Herald-Journal . 1937-12-10. Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ "Granville retired..." Calgary Daily Herald . 1936-12-17. Retrieved2012-02-26 .^ "GRANVILLE NAMED YEAR'S BEST RACER in Poll of Turf Writers 258 Take Part in Balloting" .New York Times . Associated Press. 1936-12-06. Retrieved2012-02-27 .
Award
Miscellaneous
Award for American racehorses
