51st Annual Eclipse Awards Santa Anita Park
February 11, 2022
The 51st Annual Eclipse Awards - honoring Thoroughbred racing’s champions of 2021- were held Thursday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The finalists in 17-categories - including both human and equine - are voted upon by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association member racetrack officials, et., al., the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, and Daily Racing Form. Collectively, the group represents 245-eligible voters.
The ceremony was televised live on TVG and RTN, and was streamed live on a number of other outlets including America’s Best Racing, DRF, and Equibase, among others. The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse.
Fanticipate was especially pleased to salute a number of champions and their connections; for their spirit of giving in support of charitable organizations at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships last November, and the Pegasus World Cup this last month. We were truly humbled and honored to have offered much anticipated items for auction, by these super-stars of the industry.
The evening began, honoring the female champions of 2021. And, when St. George Stables’ LETRUSKA was named Champion Older Female, we joined an entire industry in congratulating trainer Fausto Gutierrez on the management of her campaign. Fausto was gracious when accepting the Eclipse, but no more so than when he offered Letruska’s faded-red shadow roll to Fanticipate for auction at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar. A truly special donation.
Awards for human achievement in 2021 were next, and to no one’s surprise JOEL ROSARIO was named Champion Jockey. And deservedly so. From 1,083 mounts, Joel rode 228-winners - including 49-graded stakes victories - and earnings of over $32-million. At this year’s Pegasus World Cup, Joel stepped up and donated the jockey pants he wore when partnering KNICKS GO in the $3-million Dirt Invitational. Proceeds from the signed pants benefitted - among others - the PDJF.
The final Eclipse Award in the human achievement categories was that of Champion Trainer. Admittedly, Fanticipate had a favorite of our own. And so when BRAD COX stood to accept his Award, he quite honestly may have heard the cheers emanating from here in Kentucky. Such an honor it was to be around Brad, KNICKS GO, JUST ONE TIME, and his team at Gulfstream Park during Pegasus World Cup week. We’d asked him to part ways with that signature hat of his, in support of Pegasus charities. With class and a willingness to give back to the industry, he did!
But it didn’t end there for Team Cox. KNICKS GO was named Champion Dirt Male, followed soon after by ESSENTIAL QUALITY garnering Champion 3- year-old-male honors.
The night concluded with one final award, that of Horse of the Year. With three Eclipse Awards already in hand, Brad stood one last time to join the connections of KNICKS GO to accept the award on behalf of the now retired stallion standing at Taylor Made Stallions.
Fanticipate is pleased to tip-our-hat to all of the 2021 champions. We wish the human recipients and connections continued success. And we wish all of last night’s equine champions ongoing success and achievement wherever their career’s may lead them. Congratulations all!
Image | Hallway Feeds
