American Horse of the Year
Horse of the Year | |
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Country | United States |
Presented by | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
Official website | Eclipse Award |
The American Award for Horse of the Year, one of the Eclipse Awards, is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. Because Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has no governing body to sanction the various awards, "Horse of the Year" is not an official national award.[1]
The Champion award is a designation give to a horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year was deemed the most outstanding. The list below is a Champion's history compilation beginning with the year 1887 published by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's The Blood-Horse magazine (founded 1961),[2] described by ESPN as "the Thoroughbred industry's most-respected trade publication".[3]
In 1936 a Horse of the Year award was created by a poll of the staff of The New York Morning Telegraph and its sister newspaper, the Daily Racing Form (DRF), a tabloid founded in 1894 that was focused on statistical information for bettors.[4] At the same time a rival poll was organised by the Baltimore-based Turf and Sport Digest magazine.[5] Formed in 1942 as an advocacy group, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) inaugurated a competing award in 1950, selecting its winners from votes by racing secretaries from member tracks across the United States. The three systems resulted in different opinions as to "Horse of the Year" Champions in 1949, 1952, 1957, 1965, and 1970.[6] In 1971, the DRF and TRA made an agreement with the National Turf Writers Association to merge into one set of awards, called the Eclipse Awards.[7]
Contents
Historical notes on winners
In a rare occurrence, two two-year-olds topped the balloting for 1972 American Horse of the Year honors with Secretariat edging out the filly, La Prevoyante. Secretariat received the votes of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and the Daily Racing Form, while La Prevoyante was chosen by the National Turf Writers Association.[1]
Kelso, who placed 4th in The Blood-Horse magazine ranking of the top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century, won "Horse of the Year" honors five consecutive years. Omaha is the only winner of the U.S. Triple Crown that was not voted "Horse of the Year" honors.
Records
Most wins:
- 5 - Kelso (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 8 - James G. Rowe, Sr. (1896, 1900, 1901, 1905, 1907, 1908, 1913, 1915)
Most wins by an owner:
- 6 - Calumet Farm (1941, 1942, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1949)
Honorees
Eclipse Awards
Daily Racing Form, Turf & Sport Digest and Thoroughbred Racing Association Awards
Daily Racing Form and Turf & Sport Digest Awards
Year |
Horse |
Trainer |
Owner |
Age | Gender |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1949 | Capot (DRF)[46] | John M. Gaver, Sr. | Greentree Stable | 3 | C |
1949 | Coaltown (TSD)[47] | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 4 | C |
1948 | Citation[48] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 3 | C |
1947 | Armed[49] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 6 | G |
1946 | Assault[50] | Max Hirsch | King Ranch | 3 | C |
1945 | Busher[51] | George M. Odom | Louis B. Mayer | 3 | F |
1944 | Twilight Tear[52][53] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 3 | F |
1943 | Count Fleet[54] | Don Cameron | Fannie Hertz | 3 | C |
1942 | Whirlaway[55] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 4 | C |
1941 | Whirlaway[56] | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 3 | C |
1940 | Challedon[57] | Louis J. Schaefer | Branncastle Farm | 4 | C |
1939 | Challedon[58] | Louis J. Schaefer | Branncastle Farm | 3 | C |
1938 | Seabiscuit[59] | Tom Smith | Charles S. Howard | 5 | C |
1937 | War Admiral[60] | George Conway | Glen Riddle Farm | 3 | C |
1936 | Granville[61][62] | Jim Fitzsimmons | William Woodward, Sr. | 3 | C |
Informal and retrospective awards[4]
References
- ↑ "February 7, 2008". BloodHorse.com. 2008-02-07. Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "''The Bloodhorse.com'' Champion's history charts" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "ESPN - August 5, 2003". Sports.espn.go.com. 2003-08-05. Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Thoroughbred Heritage - Horse of the Year". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Chapel, Jessica. "How the Eclipse Awards Came to Be". Helloracefans.com. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "American Racing Champions 1936 - 1970: Horse of the Year". Tra-online.com. Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "TRA Eclipse Awards: Horse of the Year". Tra-online.com. Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Fort Marcy Top Horse". Ottawa Citizen. 1970-12-01. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "How Horse of the Year voters play the game | Daily Racing Form". Drf.com. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Arts and Letters named 1969 Horse of the Year". Ellensburg Daily Record. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Dr Fager named Horse Of the Year". Evening News. 1968-12-05. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "D. Fager Named Horse Of The Year". Lewiston Morning Tribune. 1968-11-27. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Dr Fager Top Horse". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1968-11-13. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Damascus Chosen Horse of Year". Pittsburgh Press. 1967-11-24. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Damascus Only Pick for Horse of Year". Schenectady Gazette. 1967-11-28. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Horse-of-Year Honors Gained by Buckpasser". New York Times. 1966-11-23. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Racing Magazine Names Buckpasser Horse of Year". New York Times. 1966-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Roman Brother:Horse of the Year". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Filly Takes Horse of the Year". Youngstown Vindicator. 1965-12-03. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Moccasin choice as top horse". Beaver County Times. December 7, 1965. Retrieved 2012-04-30.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Kelso Makes Sweep of Racing Honors". Pittsburgh Press. 1964-12-08. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Kelso "Horse of the Year"". News-Dispatch. 1963-11-26. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Kelso Named Again as Horse-of-Year". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. 1963-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Kelso Horse of the Year". Spokesman-Review. 1962-11-24. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Experts Name Kelso Horse of the Year". Fort Scott Tribune. 1961-11-29. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Kelso Picked Horse of the Year". Prescott Evening Courier. 1960-11-30. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Sword Dancer Picked as Horse of the Year". Montreal Gazette. 1959-12-20. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Round Table is Selected Horse of the Year". Washington Observer. 1958-11-26. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Horsemen Argue Top Selection". Washington Reporter. 1957-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Bold Ruler Captures Horse of the Year Honors". St. Petersburg Times. 1957-11-26. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Bold Ruler Horse of the Year in Consensus of Turf Polls". Youngstown Vindicator. 1957-12-21. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Swaps Top Horse". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. 1956-12-19. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Swaps Top Horse Of Year In Poll". Los Angeles Times. 1956-11-28. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ [ Displaying Abstract ]. "Poll Names Nashua Horse Of The Year". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "And Now It's Official, Nashua is the Champ". Ocala Star-Banner. 1955-12-09. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Native Dancer Horse of Year". St. Joseph News-Press. 1954-11-27. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Roach, James (1954-12-03). "Native Dancer Named Horse of Year". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Tom Fool collects one more Horse of the Year". Spokesman-Review. 1953-12-04. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Tom Fool Catches Foe Native Dancer at Last". Deseret News. 1953-11-13. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Roach, James (1952-12-05). "VANDERBILT COLT IS HORSE OF YEAR". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Native Dancer Horse of the Year". St. Petersburg Times. 1952-12-20. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Name One Count Horse of the Year". Greensburg Daily Tribune. 1952-11-24. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Counterpoint Named Horse-of-the-Year". Lewiston Daily Sun. 1951-11-19. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Counterpoint, Citation are Honored". Deseret News. 1951-12-20. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Hill Prince earns another Ballot as Horse of the Year". Miami News. 1950-12-19. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Capot chosen "Horse of Year"". Pittsburgh Press. 1949-11-27. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Coaltown is named "Horse of the Year"". Schenectady Gazette. 1949-12-14. Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Citation Named Horse of the Year in National Poll". Reading Eagle. 1948-12-04. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Armed Selected Horse of Year". Spokesman-Review. 1947-12-16. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Assault is Named Horse of the Year". Edmonton Journal. 1946-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Busher Wins Nation's Top Turf Honors". Youngstown Vindicator. 1945-12-10. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Twilight Tear Horse of Year". Miami News. 1944-12-04. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Tear voted outstanding 1944 Horse". St. Petersburg Times. 1944-12-18. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Count Fleet named Horse of the Year". Pittsburgh Press. 1943-12-18. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Whirlaway is again winner of Horse of Year Crown". Calgary Herald. 1942-12-16. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Whirlaway cops honor for year". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1941-12-09. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Experts name Challedon for Horse of the Year". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 1940-12-11. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Challedon and Bimelech receive top racing recognition". Palm Beach Post. 1939-12-12. Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Seabiscuit voted best of 1938 crop". Prescott Evening Courier. 19938-12-12. Retrieved 2012-02-26. Check date values in:
|date=
(help)<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles> - ↑ "War Admiral gets High Award". Herald-Journal. 1937-12-10. Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Granville retired..." Calgary Daily Herald. 1936-12-17. Retrieved 2012-02-26.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Associated, The (1936-12-06). "GRANVILLE NAMED YEAR'S BEST RACER in Poll of Turf Writers 258 Take Part in Balloting". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>