And they saved the best for last, as Cody's Wish (Curlin), whose story resonated with nearly every fan of Thoroughbred racing and beyond, was named Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male for a season in which he won four times from five starts for trainer Bill Mott, including a towering victory in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. in June and a nails-tough defense of his title in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, overcoming plenty of adversity in the process.

For all they have accomplished in their rich history on the North American continent, Godolphin was being represented by its first Horse of the Year and Mott was named outstanding trainer for the fourth time in his Hall of Fame career, but first since 2011.

The Brendan Walsh-conditioned 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) became Godolphin's first winner of America's premier race for sophomore fillies, the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, and largely on the strength of that effort was named champion of her generation. She is an eighth champion for her sire, whose daughter Covfefe won the same award in 2019. And while falling short of championships, Godolphin's GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the narrowly defeated 'TDN Rising Star' Mawj (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) received the third-most number of first-place votes in the male and female turf divisions, respectively.

With 27 victories in North American graded stakes, including 12 at Grade I level, Godolphin was the outstanding owner for the fourth year in a row and outstanding breeder for a third straight time.

A year after accounting for three divisional champions, Hill 'n' Dale Farm's sensational Curlin was responsible for another trifecta in 2023. In addition to Cody's Wish, the recently turned 20-year-old was also represented Thursday evening by Elite Power (Curlin), who took home a second consecutive award as champion sprinter; and by Idiomatic (Curlin), whose meteoric rise through the ranks was capped by an ultra-tough victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Curlin's daughter Malathaat was champion older dirt female of 2022. While Elite Power has joined the stallion barn at Juddmonte Farms in Lexington, Idiomatic will aim for another championship, as she remains in training in 2024.

The female sprint division also saw a repeat champion, as Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) parlayed a second straight victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint into an Eclipse Award, easily outpointing 'TDN Rising Star' Echo Zulu (Gun Runner), whose chances were dashed by a career-ending injury while prepping for the Filly & Mare Sprint.

There were no surprises in the male turf category, as Up to the Mark (Not This Time) became a second champion in two years and third overall for his rising stallion, having won Grade Is at a mile, mile and an eighth and mile and a quarter before finishing second to 'TDN Rising Star' Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf going 12 furlongs. While the voters did not go for the latter off his single American appearance, they did in large numbers for Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who–in perhaps the evening's most surprising result–took home the hardware for turf female following her scintillating score in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She is a first American champion for the Banstead Manor resident and his sixth all totaled.

Arcangelo (Arrogate) was much preferred to Auguste Rodin and became his much-missed sire's first champion in the 3-year-old male division, with victories in the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. Scratched on the eve of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, the gray stands his first season at Lane's End in 2024.

Courtesy of his bounceback success in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness also gave his sire City of Light a first champion in the 2-year-old male division. There was also little suspense in the 2-year-old filly ranks, as the undefeated GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Just F Y I (Justify) became the first North American champion for her sire.

Merry Maker (Ire) (Malinas {Ger}), who won the G1-Stp Lonsome Glory H. at Aqueduct in September, was a relatively narrow winner of the Eclipse for champion steeplechase horse.

In the other human divisions, Irad Ortiz, Jr. won his fifth Eclipse in six years as outstanding jockey and Axel Concepcion was the runaway winner of the Eclipse for the country's top apprentice. Stuart S. Janney III received the Eclipse Award of Merit, broadcaster Tom Hammond the Special Eclipse Award for Career Excellence and Paul Calia for Horseplayer of the Year.

The TDN Writers' Room Podcast was among the media award winners recognized for the 'Wade and Carson Jost' episode from Sept. 20, 2023. On hand to accept the award were co-producer Anthony LaRocca, editor Alia LaRocca and podcast panelists Zoe Cadman and Randy Moss.

The Eclipse Awards are voted upon by the NTRA, Daily Racing Form (DRF) and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters (NTWAB). The votes are tabulated and certified by LBMC. Voters are asked to identify their top three candidates when submitting their ballots and the three finalists in each division were made public on Jan. 6. Eclipse Award winners are determined by first-place votes only. Of 250 eligible voters, 219 (88%) completed a ballot.

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In addition to its Eclipse titles as leading owner from 2020 through 2023, Godolphin was also named champion owner of 2009 and 2012.

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Buick, a three-time runner-up (2015, '21 and '21), secured 157 winners, 67 clear of Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand, his nearest pursuers for the title. A former champion apprentice, a title he shared with David Probert in 2008, the 34-year-old has been the retained rider for Godolphin since 2015.

Buick said, “18-year-old me would say what's taken you so long. It is great and personally it's something I've really wanted to achieve for quite a long time and obviously it's taken me a few years, but it's fantastic.

“My father was an eight-time Champion Jockey in Scandinavia so it's great to be able to achieve it and I feel I've achieved it in the way that I would like to do it–to balance it with the big races, the big meetings, my main employer Godolphin, making sure that's at the forefront of my focus.

“It's very satisfying and, when every jockey starts out, that's what you want to achieve–you want to win the Derby and you want to become Champion Jockey.”

He added, “You can never expect it to go as it has. You can only hope and work towards it, but you can never expect it, so it's great and there's a lot of people involved in it all.

“It's hard work, it's every day and every race and everything that comes with it, but I've loved every minute of it. When it's going well and you're riding winners, riding nice horses, you're at the big meetings, when it goes like that it's great, there is no

This was Godolphin's 15th owner title, and their runners banked over £6 million. Some of the highlights were the late Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) running one-two in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas, with the latter also taking the Irish equivalent later that spring. Also, the leading owner at Royal Ascot, the royal blue was carried to victory in five races at that iconic meeting, among them Coroebus's score in the G1 St James's Palace S. and Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) landing the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. The operation also enjoyed success with its juveniles, led by G2 Gimcrack S. hero Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and other group wins by Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Flying Honours (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Hugh Anderson, Managing Director of Godolphin (UK and Dubai), said, “Godolphin is immensely proud to receive the Champion Owner trophy at Ascot on such a prestigious day for our sport.

“It has been another season of great excitement with numerous wins at the highest level and I must pay tribute in particular to Charlie Appleby and the team at Moulton Paddocks who have led the charge. Saeed bin Suroor and John and Thady Gosden have also made a big contribution to a season that has showcased our homebreds and our stallions.

“Thank you to every single Godolphin employee, all of whom have played their part. Our greatest thanks must of course go to our principal, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, for his endless loyalty, enthusiasm and passion for the Thoroughbred.

“Finally, it is a particular thrill to collect this trophy alongside William Buick. He is at the very sharp end of Team Godolphin and all of us congratulate him on his outstanding horsemanship, determination, bravery and skill. He is a Champion Jockey for a Champion Owner, and we could not be more delighted to end the UK season on such a high note.”

Receiving the Champion Apprentice title was Benoit de la Sayette, who fought off a determined Harry Davies in the closing weeks of the Flat season. The first apprentice jockey to be added to John Gosden's books for 29 years in 2020, he rode his first winner that December. Formerly a pony racing graduate, he was banned for six months after testing positive for cocaine, but his career rebounded in 2022.

De La Sayette said, “I am thrilled to win the Champion Apprentice title. It has felt like such an amazing season, and I've really enjoyed the battle with Harry [Davies]. I wish him all the very best for the future and hope we're riding against each other for many years to come.

“There have been plenty of highlights, starting with Vafortino (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) winning the Victoria Cup at Ascot in May. I was also lucky enough to ride a winner at the July Festival [Adjuvant (Ire) (New Bay {GB})] and have victories at Glorious Goodwood. At the start of this month, I rode my first-ever three-timer and that was another day I'll never forget.

“None of those moments–or the other winners I've had– would've been possible without the fantastic support I've received from so many owners and trainers throughout the year. I'm especially grateful to John and Thady Gosden, as well as the whole Clarehaven team. I have learnt so much from the amazing team there.

“The input and advice from my agent Paul Clarke has been so valuable as well. He has worked tirelessly to get me opportunities. I'd also like to thank the PJA [Professional Jockeys' Association] for all their ongoing support.

“Last but not least is my family. I want to say a big thank-you to all of them, especially my mum and dad for everything they do…this one's for them.”

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Brian Hughes, who became only the fourth NH jockey to ride a double century of winners in a season, was named the UK Champion Jumps Jockey for a second time. His win total sits at 204, 99 ahead of Sam Twiston-Davies in second.

Hughes, who won the title in 2019/20 said, “It is something at the start of the season I set out to try and do and it is great that it has come. I've never thought it was signed and sealed and I never wanted to let any sort of complacency set in. I just wanted to keep my head down and keep doing what I have done all season, so I haven't ever accepted that it was happening until it did.”

The Champion Conditional Jockey was Kevin Brogan. Trainer Paul Nicholls and owner JP McManus were once again awarded year-end titles by earnings-their 13th and 15th, respectively.

“It's been tougher [to win the big races] this year but every year is tough. In recent years I've either been neck and neck with Willie [Mullins] or Nicky, but this year it's a bit more relaxed and I can enjoy the day,” said Nicholls.

“I knew we were going to be quiet at Cheltenham but we had a good Aintree with some nice winners there and the horses are flying again now.

“I might have turned 60 recently, but there are absolutely no thoughts from me about retiring. I love what I'm doing and as long as I'm fit and healthy, I've no plans to cut back–I love it.”

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Adayar (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Hurricane Lane (GB) (Frankel {GB}) have been Godolphin's leading lights this season, while Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) sealed divisional honours last weekend with a win in the G1 Dewhurst S. Godolphin closed the season on a high with a win by Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 British Champions Sprint S. on Saturday.

Godolphin Managing Director Hugh Anderson said, “2021 has been a great year for British racing and Godolphin is proud to have played a part in many of the epic races that have framed the season. It is a huge honour to win the Owners Championship in such a competitive and high-quality year and testament to the fantastic work of all the Godolphin trainers and their teams. Charlie Appleby, Saeed bin Suroor and John Gosden have all played big parts in helping us win this Championship and I want to thank our jockeys, particularly William Buick and James Doyle, as well as everyone who works in our racing yards. Equally as important are our stud farms and support staff who are so essential to this operation; we are a team and we celebrate together.

“I could name over a dozen horses that have made this season for us–many are names that will go down in history–but I will just focus on the quality of the wins, the Classic successes and the overall consistency of Godolphin's performances and make the assertion that these are the best we have seen for over 20 years. Our greatest supporter is of course His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and we are delighted that we can repay his loyalty to us by achieving this title of Champion Owner. As we see Covid recede in the collective memory, I think that British racing should be very proud of how it has emerged from this pandemic and shown unequivocally that racing is an absolute jewel in the crown of British sport. Long may it continue.”

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“I would like to thank all of my staff for all of their endeavours in this most difficult of years,” Gosden told Great British Racing. “My thanks to our owners, who have been so supportive, and to the whole racing industry for pulling together so effectively.”

Sheikh Hamdan was named champion owner, his flagbearers including the Gosden-trained G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. scorer Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), G1 King’s Stand S. and G1 Nunthorpe S. winner Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and G1 Sussex S. scorer Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}). Sheikh Hamdan’s prizemoney total in 2020 was £2,309,194 from 112 wins.

Sheikh Hamdan’s racing manager Angus Gold said, “To win the champion owner title is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved, it’s what we all work hard for and strive to achieve. It’s been a difficult year for everyone, but we have been blessed on the track this year with some amazing horses. While it was sad for Sheikh Hamdan not being able to come over to the likes of Royal Ascot to see them in the flesh, he is incredibly enthusiastic, and winning the champion owner title means the world to him and all the team.”

Ben Curtis took the 2020 annual flat jockeys’ title with 170 wins. Curtis won a pair of Group 3s in June before a career high with Dandalla (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) in the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot, on whom he also won the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. the following month.

“Given the lockdown in March, I set out to pass the 100 winners mark, so to have surpassed that along with the many other talented jockeys in the weighing room at the moment, such as Hollie [Doyle] and Tom [Marquand], is a great achievement,” he said. “For us to have reached those figures, all things considered, is fantastic for British racing.”

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