PALM BEACH, Fla. — The prestigious Eclipse Awards recognized Thorpedo Anna with the title of Horse of the Year on Thursday evening. This achievement marks her as only the second 3-year-old filly to claim the top honor against male competitors.
Under the training of Ken McPeek, Thorpedo Anna recorded six Grade 1 victories over the past year, which include a win at the Kentucky Oaks. Additionally, she secured a second-place finish in the Travers behind Fierceness. At the 54th annual awards gala held at The Breakers Palm Beach, she also earned the title of the best 3-year-old filly.
Thorpedo Anna garnered 193 first-place votes out of a total of 240, while Sierra Leone came in second with 10 votes, and Fierceness earned five. Notably, Rachel Alexandra was previously honored as Horse of the Year in 2009.
In the awards ceremony, Sierra Leone, victorious in the Breeders’ Cup Classic held in November, received the accolade for the top 3-year-old male.
Chad Brown achieved recognition as Trainer of the Year for the fifth time in his career. He trains Sierra Leone, who narrowly lost the Kentucky Derby in a thrilling three-way photo finish and finished third in the Belmont Stakes. His impressive earnings of over $30 million put him at the forefront of North American trainers.
“I finally managed to outdo Ken McPeek in a photo finish,” Brown humorously remarked. “If you’re interested in a trade, I’d gladly take the Derby victory.”
Flavien Prat was honored as the top jockey after securing wins in two Breeders’ Cup races, including the Classic. The 32-year-old French rider shattered Jerry Bailey’s record by achieving 56 graded stakes victories last year.
“It requires immense effort and dedication, and I owe this achievement to the support from owners, trainers, their devoted teams, and of course, the horses,” Prat stated.
Apprentice jockey accolades went to Erik Asmussen, the 22-year-old son of legendary North American trainer Steve Asmussen. Based in Texas, he rode his first winner at Sam Houston Park last January. Notably, Asmussen’s uncle, Cash, received the same recognition in 1979.
“This sport means the world to me,” an emotional Asmussen expressed. “I am grateful for my family and the fantastic team around me. Above all, a heartfelt thank you to the horses; they truly are special.”
For the fifth year in a row, Godolphin LLC was lauded as the outstanding owner, and the organization was also recognized as the top breeder.
Additional category winners included Citizen Bull as the top 2-year-old male and Immersive for the 2-year-old filly honor. Other awards went to National Treasure as the older dirt male, Idiomatic as the older dirt female, Straight No Chaser as the male sprinter, Soul of an Angel for the female sprinter, Ireland’s Rebel’s Romance for the male turf horse, Moira for the female turf horse, and Snap Decision claimed recognition as the steeplechase horse.
The winners are determined by a vote cast by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.
