Kentucky-breds were honored with seven Eclipse Awards during the 51st edition of the prestigious awards ceremony held on Thursday, Feb. 10 at Santa Anita. The Eclipse Awards, which honor excellence in North American racing, are voted on by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB).
Godolphin, which swept the Outstanding Owner and Outstanding Breeder Eclipse Awards, was also represented by Essential Quality, who was named Champion 3-Year-Old the year after he was crowned Champion 2-Year-Old, becoming just the sixth horse to win both honors since the Eclipse Awards began in 1971. Essential Quality’s trainer Brad Cox, who is based in Kentucky, was named Outstanding Trainer.
Malathaat, winner of three Grade 1 stakes, was voted Champion 3-Year-Old Filly. Owned by Shadwell Stable and trained by Todd Pletcher, Malathaat won the Ashland S. (G1) at Keeneland, the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, and the Alabama S. (G1) at Saratoga.
Letruska, owned by St. George Stable, dominated the Older Female Dirt division for trainer Fausto Gutierrez. Letruska notched six Graded wins during her 5-year-old campaign, including three Grade 1s—the Apple Blossom S. (G1), The Ogden Phipps (G1), and the Spinster S. (G1).
A pair of undefeated Kentucky-bred juveniles took home trophies in the 2-year-old categories. Speedway Stables’ Corniche won the 2-Year-Old Mare Championship, going 3-for-3 last year and capped off his perfect season with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) for trainer Bob Baffert. L & N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Echo Zulu, trained by Steve Asmussen, won all of her starts in dominating fashion, culminating with a romping win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
Jackie’s Warrior, owned by Kirk and Judy Robison, was crowned Male Sprint Champion. During his 3-year-old campaign, Jackie’s Warrior captured four stakes, including the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. (G1) at Saratoga.
Bo Hirsch’s Ce Ce won the Female Sprinter Eclipse Award. Conditioned by Michael McCarthy, Ce Ce won four of six outings, including the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), where she defeated last year’s Female Sprint Champion Gamine.
Kentucky-bred Eclipse Award Winners
2-Year-Old Male: Corniche
2-Year-Old Filly: Echo Zulu
3-Yer-Old Male: Essential Quality
3-Year-Old Filly: Malathaat
Older Dirt Female: Letruska
Male Sprinter: Jackie’s Warrior
Female Sprinter: Ce Ce
Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon the Thoroughbred horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements have earned them the title of Champion in their respective divisions. The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-Century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse.