Industry Celebrates Champions and Resilience

On a night that was properly subdued by Eclipse Awards standards, the industry acknowledged Horse of the Year Authentic  and his connections, an accomplished list of divisional champions, and most assuredly the many people who kept the sport going in a difficult year.

In a year that saw the world turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, racing found a way forward, a way to keep horses competing. On a night of accolades for outstanding horses and horsemen, many award winners took the time to acknowledge the people who helped racing persevere in 2020, from the racing office, to horsemen, to backstretch workers, to bettors.

"Thank you for keeping racing going in these difficult times," owner Gary Barber said after accepting the award for champion 2-year-old filly Vequist.

Later in the evening Stonestreet Farm owner Barbara Banke offered similar sentiment and ended with a toast.

"Cheers to resilient people and fast horses," Banke said.

Without the typical stage welcoming presenters and honorees, the Eclipse Awards show featured winners accepting awards at top tracks and farms from around the country. While the glitz and glamour of racing's biggest night was missing, it was powerfully reassuring to see many of racing's icons from throughout North America as awards were presented by Jeannine Edwards, Britney Eurton, Gabby Gaudet, Acacia Courtney, Jay Privman, Gary Stevens, and others.

One of those gems is Spendthrift Farm in Lexington. As Horse of the Year was about to be revealed, the show offered up an overhead shot of the spectacular farm followed by B. Wayne Hughes accepting the gold Eclipse Award for Authentic , who was campaigned by Hughes' Spendthrift Farm, MyRacehorse Stable, Sol Kumin's Madaket Stables, and Jack Wolf's Starlight Racing.

"I wish all owners could have the same experience," a gracious Hughes said as he accepted the award from NTRA president Alex Waldrop while standing in front of the Spendthrift Farm stallion barn with Authentic and connections nearby. "It's a good experience. I'm happy to be here; glad to be a part of this."

Authentic also earned the champion 3-year-old male award.

One of the other Horse of the Year finalists was Monomoy Girl, who earned the Eclipse as champion older female; her second Eclipse after being honored two years ago as champion 3-year-old filly, missing last season, and then returning this year. Sol Kumin of Monomoy Stables, which campaigns the dual champion with Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables, credited the fine work trainer Brad Cox did in bringing the daughter of Tapizar  back to form in 2020 for an unbeaten campaign of four starts capped by her second Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) win.

"Brad, I know how much this filly has meant to you personally, and to your career; your first grade 1 winner," Kumin said of Cox, who walked away with the Eclipse as outstanding trainer. "You said to me last year if you can win a grade 1 with this horse after 18 months off and all she'd been through, it would be the best training job of your career. You did it. 

"Thank you and congratulations. You are one of the hardest working and most genuine people I've met in my life, and I feel lucky to call you a friend."

The other Horse of the Year finalist was Improbable , who earned champion older horse honors.

In accepting the award for champion male sprinter Whitmore, co-owner Robert LaPenta noted that the 7-year-old fit into the night's theme of determination and resolve. Whitmore is the oldest horse to earn an Eclipse Award after a season racing primarily on dirt in 27 years.

"Whitmore represents not only what's important in horse racing but what's important in life," said LaPenta, who campaigns the gelding with trainer Ron Moquett and Kumin's Head of Plains Partners. "He's an incredible athlete, gives 100% every time—every time he goes out. And whenever he falls short, he comes back and he wins.

"His winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) is an example of how great Whitmore is. He's become a national hero. He has millions of followers on Instagram and Facebook. And he has proven that sometimes the older generation can succeed over the juveniles."

While honorees missed out on celebrating together in person, the virtual awards offered a more personal setting as award winners were acknowledged. The show, co-produced by Amy Zimmerman and G.D. Hieronymus and hosted by Kenny Rice moved along at a satisfactory pace as the many elements were all pulled together for a memorable, unique Eclipse night.