Curlin, Big Brown winners at Eclipse Awards January 28th, 2009
Rather than retire, Curlin repeated as Horse of the Year.
The Dubai World Cup winner took the top honor at the Eclipse Awards once again Monday night. Big Brown, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, was chosen 3-year-old Male of the Year.
A year ago, Curlin co-owner Jess Jackson decided to bring his horse back as a 4-year-old. Curlin set a North American record with career earnings of $10.5 million before being retired in November.
It has been rewarding for us particularly because we decided to race Curlin again, Jackson said. I thank everyone for applauding that, and I hope everyone in the entire industry understands that older horses can run and still be sires.
Curlin is now in Versailles, Ky. to begin his stud career.
Curlin still wants to run, Jackson said. Hes running around the ice-hardened floor of his Lanes End paddock, and when he goes into the stable he gets depressed. He doesnt know what hes up for. I think hes going to be very pleased.
The other nominees for Horse of the Year were Big Brown and undefeated Zenyatta, the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic winner. Big Brown bested two other nominees for top 3-year-old male: Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John and Breeders Cup Classic winner Ravens Pass.
Curlin was chosen top older male over Commentator and Brazilian-bred Einstein.
Hes now one of the greats of the industry, Jackson said. This is an honor beyond the dreams of somebody who dreamed that he would someday own a champion race horse when I saw Seabiscuit run in 1938.
Zenyatta was selected top older female over Ginger Punch and Chilean-bred Cocoa Beach.
Proud Spell was selected the top 3-year-old filly over Music Note and sentimental choice Eight Belles, who broke both front ankles moments after finishing second to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby and was euthanized.
Big Browns racing career ended in October when he injured his right front foot while working out at Aqueduct.
It would have been an honor to race against Curlin, said Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stables, co-owners of Big Brown. Unfortunately it didnt come to fruition.
Big Brown won seven times in eight career starts, but his bid for the Triple Crown ended with a last-place finish in the Belmont.
Steve Asmussen, who worked with Curlin, was chosen trainer of the year over Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. and Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel.
Besides the Dubai race, Curlins 2008 victories included the Stephen Foster Handicap, the Woodward Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He was fourth in the Breeders Cup Classic on Santa Anitas synthetic surface, the only out-of-the-money finish in his career.
Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Midshipman won the award for top 2-year-old male over Old Fashioned and Vineyard Haven. Stardom Bound was chosen the best 2-year-old filly.
Garrett Gomez, who won four Breeders Cup events, was chosen jockey of the year over Robby Albarado and Rafael Bejarano. Pascacio Lopez won the award for apprentice jockey.
Other winners were Stronach Stables for owner, Adena Springs for breeder, Benny the Bull for male sprinter, Indian Blessing for female sprinter, Forever Together for female turf horse and Good Night Shirt for steeplechase horse.
The Eclipse Awards are voted on by turf writers and racing secretaries at National Thoroughbred Racing Association tracks.