LEXINGTON, January 5, 2018 – Led by Horse of the Year candidates Arrogate, Gun Runner and World Approval, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) today announced the finalists for the 2017 Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Winners in 17 horse and human categories will be announced at the 47th annual Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony, presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group, on Thursday evening, January 25, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Eclipse Award Horse of the Year candidate World Approval winning the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile on September 16, 2017 at Woodbine. (Michael Burns Photo) Of the 269 eligible voters representing the NTRA, the NTWAB and Daily Racing Form, 250 (92.9%) took part in this year’s voting. Finalists were determined in each category by voters’ top three selections, using a 10-5-1 point basis. Eclipse Award winners are determined solely by first place votes. The 2017 Eclipse Awards finalists (in alphabetical order) are: Horse of the Year: Arrogate, Gun Runner, World Approval Two-Year-Old Male: Bolt d’Oro, Good Magic, Solomini Two-Year-Old Filly: Caledonia Road, Moonshine Memories, Rushing Fall Three-Year-Old Male: Always Dreaming, Battle of Midway, West Coast Three-Year-Old Filly: Abel Tasman, Elate, Unique Bella Older Dirt Male: Arrogate, Collected, Gun Runner Older Dirt Female: Forever Unbridled, Songbird, Stellar Wind Male Sprinter: Imperial Hint, Mind Your Biscuits, Roy H Female Sprinter: Bar of Gold, Paulassilverlining, Unique Bella Male Turf Horse: Beach Patrol, Talismanic (GB), World Approval Female Turf Horse: Lady Eli, Off Limits (IRE), Wuheida (GB) Steeplechase Horse: All the Way Jose, Mr. Hot Stuff, Scorpiancer (IRE) Owner: Godolphin Racing LLC, Juddmonte Farms, Winchell Thoroughbreds & Three Chimneys Farm Breeder: Besilu Stables LLC, Clearsky Farms, WinStar Farm, LLC Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Bob Baffert, Chad Brown Jockey: Javier Castellano, Jose Ortiz, Mike Smith Apprentice Jockey: Katie Clawson, Hector Rafael Diaz Jr., Evin A. Roman In addition to honouring the 17 winners in the horse and human categories, Frank Stronach, Thoroughbred owner, breeder and racetrack owner, will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit for a lifetime of achievement in the Thoroughbred industry. Ray Arsenault will receive an Eclipse Award as the 2017 Horseplayer of the Year. Members of the media will be honored for outstanding coverage in six categories. Tickets to The Eclipse Awards ceremony are on sale for $425 each or $4,000 for a table of 10. For reservations, please contact Casey Hamilton of the NTRA at chamilton@ntra.com, or call (859) 422-2627. For more information on the Eclipse Awards, click here. The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies. The Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Those awards are voted by NTRA, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). Eclipse Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. (NTRA) Share This:Share
