Horse of the Year finalist California Chrome. Photo by Laurie Asseo.
From a National Thoroughbred Racing Association release
Led by Horse of the Year candidates Bayern, California Chrome and Main Sequence, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) today announced the finalists for the 2014 Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Winners in 17 horse and human categories will be announced at the 44th annual Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony, presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group on Saturday evening, January 17, at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Of the 280 eligible voters representing the NTRA, the NTWAB and Daily Racing Form, 265 (94.6%) 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.
- Horse of the Year: Bayern, California Chrome, Main Sequence
- Two-Year-Old Male: American Pharoah, Hootenanny, Texas Red
- Two-Year-Old Filly: Condo Commando, Lady Eli, Take Charge Brandi
- Three-Year-Old Male: Bayern, California Chrome, Shared Belief
- Three-Year-Old Filly: Stopchargingmaria, Sweet Reason, Untapable
- Older Male: Main Sequence, Palace Malice, Wise Dan
- Older Female: Close Hatches, Dayatthespa, Don’t Tell Sophia
- Male Sprinter: Goldencents, Private Zone, Work All Week
- Female Sprinter: Artemis Agrotera, Judy the Beauty, Sweet Reason
- Male Turf Horse: Karakontie (JPN), Main Sequence, Wise Dan
- Female Turf Horse: Crown Queen, Dayatthespa, Stephanie’s Kitten
- Steeplechase Horse: Demonstrative, Divine Fortune, Makari (GB)
- Owner: Kaleem Shah, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Ken and Sarah Ramsey
- Breeder: Adena Springs, Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Winchell Thoroughbreds
- Trainer: Bob Baffert, Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Javier Castellano, Joel Rosario, John Velazquez
- Apprentice Jockey: Angel Cruz, Taylor Rice, Drayden Van Dyke
In addition to honoring the 17 winners in the horse and human categories, longtime New York Racing Association track announcer Tom Durkin will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit and Old Friends Farm will be recognized with an Eclipse Special Award. Jose Arias will receive an Eclipse Award as the Handicapper of the Year. Members of the media will be honored for outstanding coverage in six categories.
For more information on The Eclipse Awards, visit ntra.com/eclipse-awards.
