The 54th Annual Eclipse Awards honored the pinnacle of excellence within North American Thoroughbred racing on January 23, 2024, at The Breakers Palm Beach, Florida, culminating with the highly anticipated announcement of Thorpedo Anna as the Horse of the Year. This remarkable 3-year-old filly, trained by Kenny McPeek, not only triumphed as Horse of the Year but also made history as only the second filly to achieve this honor among male competitors, following the trailblazer Rachel Alexandra, who claimed the title back in 2009.
The dazzling evening attracted 500 attendees dressed to the nines, all eager to witness team celebrations of numerous equine superstars and their connections. Thorpedo Anna received 193 first-place votes out of 240 for the coveted accolade, easily outpacing her closest rival, Sierra Leone, who garnered only 10 votes. Fierceness, the other contender, received 5. Her illustrious achievements included six Grade 1 victories and capturing titles at the prestigious Kentucky Oaks and Breeders' Cup Distaff.
Upon winning, Judy Hicks, the filly's breeder, couldn't hide her excitement. "We are privileged to have the Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna. It's been a fantastic ride, and it's only started," she expressed, lifting the trophy high for all to see. McPeek, reflecting on the horse's success, remarked with equal enthusiasm, "It's been quite the ride, and it's only just beginning."">
Other notable winners included Sierra Leone, who took top honors as the 3-year-old male champion following his win at the Breeders' Cup Classic, along with trainer Chad Brown, who humorously quipped, "I finally beat Ken McPeek in a photo," referring to their tight competition during the Kentucky Derby. Brown, with over $30 million earned by his horses, celebrated his fifth career Eclipse Award, cementing his status as one of the leading trainers of the season.
The awards ceremony also dazzled with the recognition of talented jockeys, with Frenchman Flavien Prat taking home the title of top jockey. Prat had a record-breaking season, achieving 56 graded stakes victories to surpass Jerry Bailey's longstanding record. "It’s a lot of hard work, dedication, and it couldn’t have been done without the support of all the owners, the trainers, their dedicated staff, and horses, of course," Prat acknowledged during his acceptance speech.
Adding to the spectacle was Erik Ashmussen, the youngest son of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Ashmussen, who received the apprentice jockey honors. An emotional Ashmussen attributed his success to his supportive family, stating, "This game means everything to me. Thank you to my family. I got the best group around me. Most important, just thank you to the horses. They’re special."
Notably, Godolphin LLC emerged as outstanding owner for the fifth consecutive year, continuing its legacy of excellence by winning the breeder's title as well. Danny Mulvihill, farm manager at Godolphin USA, expressed admiration for the hard work of his team, saying, "Well, these guys bring their game days every day of the week."
Among other winners, notable awards included Citizen Bull as the champion 2-year-old male and Moira for the female turf horse. Soul of an Angel and Straight No Chaser took honors as the top female and male sprinters, respectively, showing the depth of talent recognized at this prestigious event.
The ceremony also carved out moments to acknowledge contributions beyond the track. Frank Taylor was honored for his work with Stable Recovery, which provides support and job opportunities for recovering addicts within the Thoroughbred industry. He proudly stated, "We have graduated 100 men and women from the program, and we reunited over 1,200 family members and saved countless lives. Let’s keep this rolling!" His impactful work drew standing ovations from the crowd.
Emotions ran high throughout the evening, particularly as the audience reflected on the legacy of the late Ed Bowen, who had penned script for the Eclipse Awards since its inception. A moment of silence and tribute was followed by laughter and cheers, as hosts Britney Eurton and Lindsay Czarniak kept spirits high, promising heartwarming stories for the audience.
The 54th Annual Eclipse Awards not only celebrated individual accomplishments but also demonstrated the rich heritage and community spirit surrounding Thoroughbred racing. With the success of star horses and their connections like Thorpedo Anna, the excitement for the upcoming racing season remains palpable, with hopes held high for more thrilling moments to come.