The nominations for the prestigious 54th Eclipse Awards have been released, spotlighting the year’s top achievements in North American horse racing. The awards ceremony, scheduled for January 23, 2025, will recognize excellence across divisions, culminating in the announcement of the coveted Horse of the Year award.
Key Highlights
Horse of the Year Contenders
While nominees for Horse of the Year remain undisclosed, the frontrunners include:
- Thorpedo Anna, a dominant 3-year-old filly who captured five Grade I victories, including the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn, and finished second in the Travers.
- Sierra Leone, the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, whose consistency and resilience defined his stellar season.
- Mystik Dan, the Kentucky Derby champion, whose thrilling victory marked the 150th running of the iconic race.
Standout Divisions
3-Year-Old Male
- Sierra Leone: Breeders’ Cup Classic winner.
- Mystik Dan: Kentucky Derby champion and early contender for 2025 honors.
- Dornoch: Belmont Stakes winner.
3-Year-Old Female
- Thorpedo Anna: Dominated her division, with only one loss in 2024.
- Immersive: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner.
- Lake Victoria and Good Cheer: Other finalists in the division.
Older Dirt Male
- National Treasure: 2023 Preakness winner trained by Bob Baffert.
- Full Serrano and Straight No Chaser: Division nominees.
Older Dirt Female
- Adare Manor: Apple Blossom winner with multiple Grade I triumphs.
- Idiomatic: Reigning older female champion and defending Distaff winner.
- Raging Sea: Brown-trained contender.
Sprinter
- Cogburn: Steve Asmussen-trained Oaklawn standout.
2-Year-Old Male
- Citizen Bull and Gaming: Top finishers in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, both trained by Bob Baffert.
Recognitions for Trainers and Jockeys
- Kenny McPeek, who enjoyed a career-defining year, is nominated alongside Chad Brown and Brad Cox in the trainer category.
- Flavien Prat, who set a North American record for graded-stakes wins, competes with Irad Ortiz Jr. and Tyler Gaffalione for top jockey honors.
- Brian Hernandez Jr., the rider of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, is nominated for the George Woolf Award, recognizing his exemplary conduct both on and off the track.
Emerging Talent
- Erik Asmussen, son of Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, is among the nominees for top apprentice jockey.
Industry Giants
- Renowned international stables Godolphin and Juddmonte join Calumet Farm in the breeder category.
- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Immersive highlights the strength of Brad Cox’s stable.
The Ceremony
The Eclipse Awards will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV starting at 6:30 PM CST. With top trainers, jockeys, and horses vying for recognition, the event promises to celebrate the best of thoroughbred racing.
Who will take home the title of Horse of the Year? Stay tuned for the results on January 23, 2025!
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