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Turf Champion Channel Maker Retired

MGISW and 2020's Eclipse Champion Turf Male Channel Maker (English Channel) has been retired from racing, his connections said Saturday.

The announcement came one day after the 9-year-old gelding finished next to last in the GIII Sycamore at Keeneland.

“It's time,” part-owner Adam Wachtel said.

Channel Maker ran a record six times in the Breeders' Cup.

“I've never had a horse that's run at the highest level against the toughest competition from 2 through 9,” Wachtel said. “I love what Bill had to say about him after the Bowling Green; he said he's the happiest horse in the barn.”

Channel Maker ended his career with a record of 10-6-5 from 56 starts and career earnings of $3,915,983.

Wachtel said it is hoped that Channel Maker will take up residence at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions in Lexington.

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Point Given, 2001 Horse Of The Year, Dies At 25

2001 Horse of the Year and winner of both the GI Preakness S. and the GI Belmont S., Point Given (Thunder Gulch), passed away Sept. 11 at 25 years old. In 2017, the champion Thoroughbred became a resident of the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions, making him the fifth Horse of the Year to occupy the famous barn.

“Point Given was a special horse, loved by all, and a wonderful ambassador for the Kentucky Horse Park,” said Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter. “We are saddened by his passing but grateful for the memories created and our time with the Big Red Train.”

Owned and bred by The Thoroughbred Corporation, and trained by Bob Baffert, Point Given won six Grade I races, including two legs of the 2001 Triple Crown. For his efforts, he received Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Colt.

“Not only was Point Given a dual classic winning Hall of Famer, but he was also an excellent ambassador for horse racing and the state of Kentucky,” said Hall of Champions Supervisor Rob Willis. “He was a big stallion that was fun to be around. Countless visitors enjoyed being in his presence over the years. It was an honor to care for him during his retirement. His presence will be missed.”

Point Given, affectionately known as the “Big Red Train” due to his 17.1-hand height, earned $3,968,500 with nine wins and three second-place finishes from 13 starts. He was the first horse in history to win four $1 million races in a row, all under jockey Gary Stevens, and he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010.

“I'm saddened to hear of Point Given's passing,” said Gary Stevens. “He was, to me, the greatest horse to not win the Triple Crown. It was an honor to ride such a phenomenal horse. Rest in peace, PG.”

Point Given retired from racing in September 2001 to stand at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky. In 2013, he was relocated to Calumet Farm in Lexington, Ky., where he stood for five seasons before retiring to the Kentucky Horse Park. He sired over 30 stakes winners, including Canadian Horse of the Year, Sealy Hill.

Like other great Hall of Champions horses, Point Given will be buried at the park's Memorial Walk of Champions alongside past Thoroughbred residents Funny Cide, Go For Gin, Forego, Bold Forbes, John Henry, Alysheba, and Da Hoss. A public memorial service will be held at a future date.

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Thursday’s Eclipse Awards To Be Broadcast Live On TVG, RTN

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) and Daily Racing Form (DRF) announced today that the 51st Annual Eclipse Awards, presented 1/ST Racing, FanDuel Racing Group, and the NTRA, will air live on TVG and the Racetrack Television Network (RTN) on Thursday, Feb. 10, beginning at 8 p.m. ET, from Santa Anita Park.

Honoring Thoroughbred racing's champions of 2021, horse and human awards in 17 categories will be presented during the program, culminating with the announcement of the 2021 Horse of the Year.

The Eclipse Award of Merit will be presented to Ambassador Earle I. Mack for lifetime achievement. Justin Mustari also will be honored with an Eclipse Award as the 2021 Horseplayer of the Year.

TVG's coverage will begin with a “Green Carpet” Preview Show Presented by Keeneland at 7 p.m. ET followed immediately with the awards ceremony.

In addition to TVG and RTN, the ceremony will be streamed live on NTRA.com, americasbestracing.net (ABR), Bloodhorse.com, DRF.com, Equibase.com, MyRaceHorse.com (YouTube), santaanita.com/live, Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN.com), TOBA.org, and XBTV.com.

The Eclipse Awards ceremony will be hosted by Acacia Courtney, Britney Eurton, Gabby Gaudet and Michelle Yu.

A link to the digital version of the official Eclipse Awards dinner program can be found at: https://www.ntra.com/eclipse-awards/

The Eclipse Awards are sponsored by Roberts Communications, Four Roses Bourbon, Daily Racing Form, Breeders' Cup, EquinEdge, Fan Duel Group, The Stronach Group and 1/ST Racing, Santa Anita Park, TVG, Dean Dorton, Stonestreet Farm, Keeneland, Racetrack Television Network, Jackson Family Wines, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Spendthrift Farm, Hallway Feeds, WinStar Farm and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies.

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Eclipse Finalist Shedaresthedevil Returns To Work Tab; Azeri Remains First Target In 2022

Millionaire multiple Grade 1 winner Shedaresthedevil, among three finalists for an Eclipse Award as the country's champion older dirt female of 2021, returned to the work tab last Sunday at Fair Grounds, covering 3 furlongs in :36.20 for trainer Brad Cox and co-owner Staton Flurry of Hot Springs, Ark.

Cox reiterated Tuesday afternoon that Shedaresthedevil's first 2022 target remains the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles March 12 at Oaklawn. Shedaresthedevil opened her 2021 campaign with a victory in the Azeri, holding off expected Eclipse Award winner Letruksa by a head under regular rider Florent Geroux.

“It was a good move,” Cox said, referring to Sunday's breeze. “Pointing for the Azeri. I think it's going to be a realistic goal to get to the Azeri. Obviously, it's a prep for the Apple Blossom.”

Shedaresthedevil hasn't started since a sixth-place finish in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar. Shedaresthedevil, as a racing/broodmare prospect, sold for $5 million at Fasig-Tipton's Fall Mixed Sale Nov. 9, but her new connections decided to keep her in training with Cox for a 2022 racing campaign.

Flurry said the 5-year-old daughter of Daredevil received a 30-day break following the Breeders' Cup and was in light training at new co-owner Mandy Pope's farm in Florida before returning to Cox in early January at Fair Grounds.

“They had her in Ocala, Mandy Pope's team did, and she came back and looked amazing,” Cox said. “She looked as well as she's ever looked, so I'm excited about getting her started this year and hopefully make her presence felt in some Grade 1s throughout the year.”

The Azeri is the final major local prep for the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at 1 1/16 miles April 23.

In addition to the Azeri, Shedaresthedevil won the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies in 2020 at Oaklawn before capturing the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) later that year at Churchill Downs. She was a finalist for an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly of 2020.

Shedaresthedevil has bankrolled $2,331,458 after winning 9 of 17 career starts. She is a three-time Grade 1 winner.

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