American Horse of the Year
Horse of the Year | |
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Country | United States |
Website | Eclipse Award |
The American Award for Horse of the Year, or simply Horse of the Year,[1][2] one of the Eclipse Awards, is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. Because Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has no governing 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 the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's The Blood-Horse magazine (founded 1961),[4] described by 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 of The New York Morning Telegraph and its sister newspaper, the Daily Racing Form (DRF), a tabloid founded in 1894 that was focused on statistical information for bettors.[6] At the same time a rival poll was organised by the Baltimore-based Turf and Sport Digest magazine.[7] Formed in 1942 as an advocacy group, the Thoroughbred 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] In 1971, the DRF and TRA made an agreement with the National Turf Writers Association to merge into one set of awards, called the Eclipse 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 with Secretariat edging out the filly, La Prevoyante. Secretariat received the votes of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and the Daily Racing Form, while La Prevoyante was chosen by the National Turf Writers Association.[1]
Kelso, who placed 4th in The Blood-Horse magazine ranking of the 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 the U.S. Triple Crown that was not voted "Horse of the Year" honors.
Records
[edit]Most wins:
- 5 – Kelso (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 8 – James G. Rowe Sr. (1896, 1900, 1901, 1905, 1907, 1908, 1913, 1915)
Most wins by an owner:
- 6 – Calumet Farm (1941, 1942, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1949)
Honorees
[edit]Key |
Elected to the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Hall of Fame |
Eclipse Awards
[edit]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, the Daily 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Cody's Wish | William I. Mott | Godolphin | 5 | Horse | 134/219 (61.19%) | White Abarrio | 37/219 (16.89%) | [11] |
2022 | Flightline | John Sadler | Hronis Racing | 4 | Colt | 239/246 (97.15%) | Malathaat, Life Is Good, Country Grammer | 1/246 (0.41%) | |
2021 | Knicks Go | Brad Cox | Korea Racing Authority | 5 | Horse | 228/235 (97.02%) | Letruska, Loves Only You | 2/235 (0.85%) | [12] |
2020 | Authentic | Bob Baffert | Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing | 3 | Colt | 224/238 (94.12%) | Monomoy Girl | 7/238 (2.94%) | [13] |
2019 | Bricks and Mortar | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence | 5 | Horse | 204/241 (84.65%) | Mitole | 19/241 (7.88%) | [14] |
2018 | Justify | Bob Baffert | China H. C., Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing and WinStar Farm | 3 | Colt | 191/249 (76.71%) | Accelerate | 54/249 (21.69%) | [15] |
2017 | Gun Runner | Steve Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC & Three Chimneys Farm | 4 | Colt | 248/250 (99.2%) | Arrogate | 2/250 (0.8%) | [16] |
2016 | California Chrome | Art Sherman | California Chrome LLC | 5 | Horse | 202/248 (81.45%) | Arrogate | 40/248 (16.13%) | [17] |
2015 | American Pharoah | Bob Baffert | Ahmed Zayat | 3 | Colt | 261/261 (100.0%) | N/A | N/A | [18] |
2014 | California Chrome | Art Sherman | Steven Coburn, Perry Martin | 3 | Colt | 143/265 (53.96%) | Main Sequence | 53/265 (20.00%) | [19] |
2013 | Wise Dan | Charles LoPresti | Morton Fink | 6 | Gelding | 208/249 (83.53%) | Mucho Macho Man | 21/249 (8.43%) | [20] |
2012 | Wise Dan | Charles LoPresti | Morton Fink | 5 | Gelding | 194/254 (76.38%) | I'll Have Another | 30/254 (11.81%) | [21] |
2011 | Havre de Grace | J. Larry Jones | Fox Hill Farms | 4 | Filly | 166/248 (66.94%) | Acclamation | 26/248 (10.48%) | [22] |
2010 | Zenyatta | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | 6 | Mare | 128/238 (53.78%) | Blame | 102/238 (42.86%) | [23] |
2009 | Rachel Alexandra | Steve Asmussen | Stonestreet Stables | 3 | Filly | 130/229 (56.77%) | Zenyatta | 99/229 (43.23%) | [24] |
2008 | Curlin | Steve Asmussen | Stonestreet Farm et al. | 4 | Colt | 153/242 (63.22%) | Zenyatta | 69/242 (28.51%) | [25] |
2007 | Curlin | Steve Asmussen | Stonestreet Farm et al. | 3 | Colt | 249/263 (94.68%) | Rags to Riches | 12/263 (4.56%) | [26] |
2006 | Invasor | Kiaran McLaughlin | Shadwell Racing | 4 | Colt | 228/271 (84.13%) | Barbaro | 21/271 (7.75%) | [27] |
2005 | Saint Liam | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | M/M William K. Warren Jr. | 5 | Horse | 194/253 (76.68%) | Afleet Alex | 56/253 (22.13%) | [28] |
2004 | Ghostzapper | Robert J. Frankel | Frank Stronach | 4 | Colt | 174/271 (64.21%) | Smarty Jones | 95/271 (35.06%) | [29] |
2003 | Mineshaft | Neil J. Howard | Farish / Webber / Elkins | 4 | Colt | 209/248 (84.27%) | Congaree | 11/248 (4.44%) | [30] |
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 and Turf & Sport Digest Awards
[edit]Year |
Horse |
Trainer |
Owner |
Age | Gender |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1949 | Capot (DRF)[69] | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 3 | C |
Coaltown (TSD)[70] | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 4 | C | |
1948 | Citation[71] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 3 | C |
1947 | Armed[72] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 6 | G |
1946 | Assault[73] | Max Hirsch | King Ranch | 3 | C |
1945 | Busher[74] | George M. Odom | Louis B. Mayer | 3 | F |
1944 | Twilight Tear[75][76] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 3 | F |
1943 | Count Fleet[77] | Don Cameron | Fannie Hertz | 3 | C |
1942 | Whirlaway[78] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 4 | C |
1941 | Whirlaway[79] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 3 | C |
1940 | Challedon[80] | Louis J. Schaefer | Branncastle Farm | 4 | C |
1939 | Challedon[81] | Louis J. Schaefer | Branncastle Farm | 3 | C |
1938 | Seabiscuit[82] | Tom Smith | Charles S. Howard | 5 | H |
1937 | War Admiral[83] | George Conway | Glen Riddle Farm | 3 | C |
1936 | Granville[84][85] | Jim Fitzsimmons | William Woodward Sr. | 3 | C |
The Blood-Horse retrospective champions
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "BC Champion Cody's Wish voted Horse of the Year at Eclipse Awards". Breeders' Cup. January 26, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ Ehalt, Bob (January 25, 2024). "Cody's Wish Earns Horse of the Year Honors". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ "February 7, 2008". BloodHorse.com. 2008-02-07. Archived from the original on 2013-12-31. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "The Bloodhorse.com Champion's history charts" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "Nack: The Final Furlong". ESPN Sports. August 5, 2003. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "Thoroughbred Heritage – Horse of the Year". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ Chapel, Jessica. "How the Eclipse Awards Came to Be". Hello Race Fans. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "American Racing Champions 1936–1970: Horse of the Year". Tra-online.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "TRA Eclipse Awards: Horse of the Year". Tra-online.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "How It Works: A Detailed Look at How Eclipse Award Winners Are Chosen - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report".
- ^ Ehalt, Bob (January 25, 2024). "Cody's Wish Earns Horse of the Year Honors". BloodHorse. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ "Knicks Go Voted Horse of the Year" (Press release). National Thoroughbred Racing Association. February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ "Authentic Voted 2020 Horse of the Year". 29 January 2021. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Bricks and Mortar Voted 2019 Runhappy Horse of the Year". 24 January 2020. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Justify Voted 2018 Horse of the Year". 25 January 2019. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Gun Runner Voted 2017 Horse of the Year". 26 January 2018. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "California Chrome Voted 2016 Horse of the Year". 22 January 2017. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "American Pharoah is Unanimous 2015 Horse of the Year". 16 January 2016. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "California Chrome Voted 2014 Horse of the Year". 17 January 2015. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Wise Dan Voted 2013 Horse of the Year". 18 January 2014. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Wise Dan Steals Show at 2012 Eclipse Awards". 19 January 2013. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Havre de Grace voted 2011 Horse of the Year". 16 January 2012. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Zenyatta Crowned Horse of the Year". Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ Finley, Bill (19 January 2010). "Rachel Alexandra Wins Horse of the Year". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ Finley, Bill (27 January 2009). "Curlin Repeats as Horse of the Year". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Curlin named Horse of the Year". Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Eclipse Awards - Invasor is Horse of the Year". 23 January 2007. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Saint Liam Voted Horse of the Year Honors; Also Top Older Male". Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Ghostzapper Ends Up the Smartest Money". Los Angeles Times. 25 January 2005. Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Mineshaft strikes gold in Eclipses". Retrieved 17 Sep 2021.
- ^ "Fort Marcy Top Horse". Ottawa Citizen. 1970-12-01. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "How Horse of the Year voters play the game". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Arts and Letters named 1969 Horse of the Year". Ellensburg Daily Record. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Dr Fager named Horse Of the Year". Evening News. 1968-12-05. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "D. Fager Named Horse of the Year". Lewiston Morning Tribune. 1968-11-27. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Dr Fager Top Horse". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1968-11-13. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Damascus Chosen Horse of Year". Pittsburgh Press. 1967-11-24. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Damascus Only Pick for Horse of Year". Schenectady Gazette. 1967-11-28. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Horse-of-Year Honors Gained by Buckpasser". New York Times. 1966-11-23. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Racing Magazine Names Buckpasser Horse of Year". New York Times. 1966-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Roman Brother:Horse of the Year". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Filly Takes Horse of the Year". Youngstown Vindicator. 1965-12-03. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Moccasin choice as top horse". Beaver County Times. December 7, 1965. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
- ^ "Kelso Makes Sweep of Racing Honors". Pittsburgh Press. 1964-12-08. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Kelso "Horse of the Year"". News-Dispatch. 1963-11-26. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Kelso Named Again as Horse-of-Year". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. 1963-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Kelso Horse of the Year". Spokesman-Review. 1962-11-24. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Experts Name Kelso Horse of the Year". Fort Scott Tribune. 1961-11-29. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Kelso Picked Horse of the Year". Prescott Evening Courier. 1960-11-30. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Sword Dancer Picked as Horse of the Year". Montreal Gazette. 1959-12-20. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Round Table is Selected Horse of the Year". Washington Observer. 1958-11-26. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Horsemen Argue Top Selection". Washington Reporter. 1957-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Bold Ruler Captures Horse of the Year Honors". St. Petersburg Times. 1957-11-26. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Bold Ruler Horse of the Year in Consensus of Turf Polls". Youngstown Vindicator. 1957-12-21. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Swaps Top Horse". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. 1956-12-19. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Swaps Top Horse Of Year In Poll". Los Angeles Times. 1956-11-28. Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ [ Displaying Abstract]. "Poll Names Nashua Horse of the Year". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "And Now It's Official, Nashua is the Champ". Ocala Star-Banner. 1955-12-09. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Native Dancer Horse of Year". St. Joseph News-Press. 1954-11-27. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ Roach, James (1954-12-03). "Native Dancer Named Horse of Year". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Tom Fool collects one more Horse of the Year". Spokesman-Review. 1953-12-04. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Tom Fool Catches Foe Native Dancer at Last". Deseret News. 1953-11-13. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ Roach, James (1952-12-05). "VANDERBILT COLT IS HORSE OF YEAR". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Native Dancer Horse of the Year". St. Petersburg Times. 1952-12-20. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Name One Count Horse of the Year". Greensburg Daily Tribune. 1952-11-24. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Counterpoint Named Horse-of-the-Year". Lewiston Daily Sun. 1951-11-19. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Counterpoint, Citation are Honored". Deseret News. 1951-12-20. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Hill Prince earns another Ballot as Horse of the Year". Miami News. 1950-12-19. Retrieved 2012-02-27.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Capot chosen "Horse of Year"". Pittsburgh Press. 1949-11-27. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Coaltown is named "Horse of the Year"". Schenectady Gazette. 1949-12-14. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "Citation Named Horse of the Year in National Poll". Reading Eagle. 1948-12-04. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Armed Selected Horse of Year". Spokesman-Review. 1947-12-16. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Assault is Named Horse of the Year". Edmonton Journal. 1946-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Busher Wins Nation's Top Turf Honors". Youngstown Vindicator. 1945-12-10. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Twilight Tear Horse of Year". Miami News. 1944-12-04. Retrieved 2012-02-27.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Tear voted outstanding 1944 Horse". St. Petersburg Times. 1944-12-18. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Count Fleet named Horse of the Year". Pittsburgh Press. 1943-12-18. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Whirlaway is again winner of Horse of Year Crown". Calgary Herald. 1942-12-16. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Whirlaway cops honor for year". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1941-12-09. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Experts name Challedon for Horse of the Year". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 1940-12-11. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "Challedon and Bimelech receive top racing recognition". Palm Beach Post. 1939-12-12. Retrieved 2012-02-26.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Seabiscuit voted best of 1938 crop". Prescott Evening Courier. 1938-12-12. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "War Admiral gets High Award". Herald-Journal. 1937-12-10. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "Granville retired..." Calgary Daily Herald. 1936-12-17. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ "GRANVILLE NAMED YEAR'S BEST RACER in Poll of Turf Writers 258 Take Part in Balloting". New York Times. Associated Press. 1936-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.