California Chrome led a strong contingent of California-based horses at last weekend’s 46th annual Eclipse Awards in Hallandale Beach, FL. California Chrome took home the Horse of the Year award for the second time, in addition to winning as Champion Older Dirt Male. Of the 12 equine Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year, 8 went to horses from California.
California Chrome, a California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit, is trained by Art Sherman and owned by California Chrome LLC.
Arrogate, trained by Bob Baffert for Juddmonte Farms Inc., captured the title as Champion 3-Year-Old Male and became the seventh 3-year-old male champion trained by Baffert. Baffert also trained Male Sprint winner Drefong, owned by Baoma Corp.
Songbird, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and owned by Fox Hill Farms, was unanimously voted Champion 3-Year-Old Filly.
Two-Year-Old Filly honors went to Champagne Room, owned by TOC board member Joe Ciaglia and partners Exline-Border, Gulliver Racing, S. Alesia, R. Christensen & T. Legan and trained by Peter Eurton. It was the first Eclipse Award for Eurton.
Beholder won Older Dirt Female for trainer Richard Mandella and owner Spendthrift Farm LLC.
Finest City, owned by Seltzer Thoroughbreds, gave trainer Ian Kruljac his first Eclipse Award when she took top honors as Female Sprinter.
Congratulations to all California connections, and to all Eclipse Award winners!
