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2020 Eclipse Awards: Authentic Voted Horse Of The Year In A Landslide

Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Authentic was named Horse of the Year for 2020 in the 50^th annual Eclipse Awards hosted by Spendthrift Farm on Thursday evening but held virtually with no live audience because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

A 2017 foal sired by Into Mischief out of Flawless, by Mr. Greeley, Authentic was bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, Inc., owned by Spendthrift Farm LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC and Starlight Racing, and trained by Bob Baffert. After a maiden victory in his career debut as a 2-year-old in 2019, Authentic won five of seven starts in 2021, including three Grade 1 stakes: the TVG.com Haskell Stakes, Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, and Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.

He also won the G3 Sham Stakes and G2 San Felipe Stakes at his home base at Santa Anita Park. Authentic's lone defeats came in the G1 Santa Anita Derby and G1 Preakness (to 3-year-old filly champion Swiss Skydiver.

Authentic got 224 first-place votes for Horse of the Year, with Monomoy Girl receiving seven, Swiss Skydiver six and Vekoma one.

Authentic was retired to Spendthrift, where he will stand alongside his sire.

The complete list of 2020 Eclipse Awards winners appears below:

Horse Of The Year: Authentic
Two-Year-Old Male: Essential Quality
Two-Year-Old Filly: Vequist
Three-Year-Old Male: Authentic
Three-Year-Old Filly: Swiss Skydiver
Older Dirt Male: Improbable
Older Dirt Female: Monomoy Girl
Male Sprinter: Whitmore
Female Sprinter: Gamine
Male Turf Horse: Channel Maker
Female Turf Horse: Rushing Fall
Steeplechase Horse: Moscato (GB)
Owner: Godolphin, LLC
Breeder: WinStar Farm LLC
Jockey: Irad Ortiz,
Apprentice Jockey: Alexander Crispin
Trainer: Brad Cox

In voting that concluded January 4, 2021, Eclipse Awards voters cast their ballots to rank the top three horses and individuals in each Championship division on a 10-5-1 point system.

This voting established the top three finalists in each division, whose names were released on Jan. 16, 2021.

The tallies below represent only first-place votes from members of the consolidated voting entities, NTRA, Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers And Broadcasters.

Voter participation rate: 238/249 = 95.58%

Two-Year-Old Male
Essential Quality, 231; Jackie's Warrior, 6; Fire At Will, 1.

Two-Year-Old Filly
Vequist, 212; Aunt Pearl (IRE), 24; Malathaat, 1; Voter Abstention, 1.

Three-Year-Old Male
Authentic, 236; Tiz the Law, 2.

Three-Year-Old Filly
Swiss Skydiver, 218; Gamine, 20.

Older Dirt Male
Improbable, 218; Knicks Go; 8, Vekoma, 5; Maximum Security, 4; Global Campaign, 1; Tom's d'Etat, 1; Whitmore, 1.

Older Dirt Female
Monomoy Girl, 234; Midnight Bisou, 4.

Male Sprinter
Whitmore, 132; Vekoma, 83; Volatile, 16; Charlatan, 4; C Z Rocket, 3.

Female Sprinter
Gamine, 219; Serengeti Empress, 13; Frank's Rockette, 4; Guarana, 1; Voter Abstention, 1.

Male Turf Horse
Channel Maker, 180; Zulu Alpha, 17; Order of Australia (IRE), 15; Factor This, 7; United, 7; Gufo, 4; Domestic Spending (GB), 3; Arklow, 2; War of Will, 1; Voter Abstentions, 2.

Female Turf Horse
Rushing Fall, 115; Tarnawa (IRE), 106; Magical (IRE), 8; Audarya (FR), 5; Starship Jubilee, 2; Newspaperofrecord (IRE) 1; Sharing, 1.

Steeplechase Horse
Moscato (GB), 155; Snap Decision, 28; Rashaan (IRE), 21; Iranistan,2; Voter Abstentions, 32.

Owner
Godolphin, LLC, 78; Spendthrift Farm, LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC, and Starlight Racing, 56; Klaravich Stables Inc., 47; Gary Barber, 23; Sackatoga Stables, 7; End Zone Athletics Inc., 6; Peter Callahan, 4; Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, LLC, The Elkstone Group LLC, and Bethlehem Stables, 3; Calumet Farm, 1; Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, 1; M and M Racing, 1; Maggi Moss, 1; Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey 1; Gary and Mary West, 1; Voter Abstentions, 8.

Breeder
WinStar Farm, LLC, 128; Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC, 52; Calumet Farm, 45; Godolphin, 6; Charles Fipke, 1; Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, 1; Voter Abstentions, 5.

Trainer
Brad Cox, 106; Bob Baffert, 69; Steve Asmussen, 44; Chad Brown, 8; Christophe Clement, 1; Michael Maker, 1; Peter Miller, 1; Ron Moquett, 1; Bill Mott, 1; Barclay Tagg, 1; Wesley Ward, 1; Voter Abstentions, 4.

Jockey
Irad Ortiz, Jr., 162; Joel Rosario, 54; John Velazquez, 14; Florent Geroux, 3; Tyler Gaffalione, 2; Flavien Prat, 1; Luis Saez, 1; Voter Abstention, 1.

Apprentice Jockey
Alexander Crispin, 79; Yarmarie Correa, 74; Luis Cardenas, 38; Charlie Marquez, 15; Cristian Torres, 3; Sunday Diaz, Jr. 1; Voter Abstentions, 28.

Media Eclipse Awards
Media Eclipse Awards also are given in the categories of photography, audio and multi-media Internet, news/enterprise writing, feature/commentary writing, television–feature, and television–live racing programming to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. The 2020 Media Eclipse Awards winners, determined by a judges' panel for each category and previously announced, are:

Photography – Alex Evers, Paulick Report, “A Derby Without Fans,” Sept. 21, 2020.

News/Enterprise Writing – Natalie Voss, Paulick Report – Multi-part Series: “A Decade In, How Are We Doing With Thoroughbred Aftercare?” Dec. 2, 2019; “Emptying The Ocean With A Teaspoon: The Challenges Of Aftercare,” Dec. 3, 2019; and “Aftercare Should Not Be An Afterthought: Solutions For The Future,” Dec. 4, 2019.

Feature/Commentary Writing – Natalie Voss, Paulick Report, “'An Angel On His Shoulder': This Thoroughbred's Fate Was Written In Ink,” May 13, 2020.

Television – Feature – NBC Sports, “Riders Up: The World's First Sports Bubble,” Oct. 2, 2020 on NBCSN; Produced by the Hennegan Brothers.

Television – Live Racing Programming – NBC Sports, “The Breeders' Cup World Championships,” Nov. 7, 2020; Billy Matthews and Lindsay Schanzer, producers.

Audio/Multi-Media Internet – Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN), “To Hell and Back: Belmont Marks A Deserved Triumph for New York City,” June 19, 2020; Joe Bianca, writer and narrator, Patty Wolfe, producer.

The Eclipse Awards are sponsored by Spendthrift Farm, Roberts Communications, Four Roses Bourbon, Daily Racing Form, Breeders' Cup, FanDuel Group, The Stronach Group, TVG, Dean Dorton, Stonestreet Farm, Keeneland, Racetrack Television Network, Jackson Family Wines, Florida HBPA, Runhappy, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Hallway Feeds, and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

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‘She Has A Bright Future’: Soft Whisper Makes A Lot Of Noise In UAE 1,000 Guineas

The first classic of the UAE season took place in the UAE 1000 Guineas (Listed) this Thursday at Meydan, held over one mile on the dirt. Godolphin's Saeed bin Suroor-trained Soft Whisper vied for favoritism with Al Rashid Stables' Doug Watson-trained Mnasek before the race.

What set up as a great matchup never manifested as Soft Whisper screamed home a dominant seven-length winner under stalk-and-pounce Frankie Dettori tactics, while Mnasek missed the break before closing to a distant second under Dane O'Neill. Watson-trained Super Chianti was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third under Pat Dobbs after racing greenly during the final three furlongs.

The final time was 1:38.67 and the winner landed her second race of the season, following a one-sided tally in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial three weeks ago. By Dubawi out of the Sea the Stars mare Placidia, the homebred gave Dettori his fourth win in the race this century and Bin Suroor his 12th. Bigger races may be on the horizon for the now four-time winner from six starts.

“She missed the kick last time, but this time she jumped really good into position and was always in control,” Dettori said. “When I kicked, she went–simply as that. I didn't have to do too much. She has a bright future. Saeed mentioned everything–Saudi (Derby), UAE Oaks, UAE Derby–who knows. When you win so impressively, you get excited and you think of big plans. I was just saying to Saeed that the last time I won a race this easily was probably Dubai Millennium in 2000. It took me 21 years to find one just as easy.

“That was good. We have big hopes for her. Maybe she didn't beat the best in the world, but the way she did it, you have to be impressed. We'll take one step at a time. Nothing has tested her today, so it would be wrong for me to say how good she is because I need some better competition, but at the moment everything is in the right place.”

“We got beat by a good horse on the night, there's no doubt about that,” O'Neill added about the runner-up. “We got a bit of kickback early on and they got a couple lengths on me on the turn, but when she saw daylight, she stayed on well. She's a timid little filly and likes a little bit of space and out of the kickback. She's a nice filly and she'll probably stay farther next time.”

Regarding Super Chianti, Dobbs added: “She was greener tonight than she was the first night. She travelled well, but when I went for her, she just stuck her head in the air and never went forward for me.”

The $1.5 million Saudi Derby is set for a similar one-turn, one-mile trip at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Feb. 20 in Riyadh, while the UAE Oaks (G3) over 1 3/16 miles on Feb. 18. The UAE Derby is slated for Dubai World Cup day, March 27.

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Dubawi’s ‘Whisper’ Stuns in UAE 1000 Guineas

Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was anything but subtle when delivering a seven-length tour-de-force in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas at Meydan on Thursday night.

Forwardly placed from the bell, the heavy favourite charged straight to the head of affairs and dueled with Heshmah (Kitten's Joy) who passed her leaving the chute. Poised in second, the filly always appeared full of run and reinsman Frankie Dettori was practically motionless as Soft Whisper ranged alongside Heshmah with less than 600 metres remaining. It was only a matter of how far from there, with the relative of European highweight Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) running up a double-digit advantage by mid-stretch. Mnasek (Empire Maker), who completely blew the break, made up some late ground and cut into the margin at the line.

Winning the 1000 Guineas for the fourth time this century, Dettori said, “I am not sure how good the race was, but we could have won by twice as far and she could not have been more impressive. She seems to love that dirt surface and now has loads of options. Saeed and his team are talking about Saudi Derby, UAE Derby, UAE Oaks and all those type of races.”

Added trainer Saeed bin Suroor who was winning his 12th edition, “She gave me confidence when she won the last time. The filly has been improving all the time and this trip was much better for her, even nine furlongs in the future would be no problem for her. I talked to Frankie just now and he was happy at the way she finished the race. We will talk to Sheikh Mohammed and he will make a decision.

“She is a big and strong filly. She is a filly for the future. I have a lot of confidence for her future. We have entered her in the Kentucky Oaks also the European Classic Races. She is a top class filly, but the Classic races are hard to win and we're hoping for the best. ”

Second in a pair of novice races in July and August in the UK, the bay has now won four in a row, beginning with two nursury handicaps at Salisbury on Aug. 21 and Pontefract on Sept. 24. She also added a win in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial by 2 1/2 lengths on Jan. 7.

The third foal from her winning dam, Soft Whisper is followed by a Shamardal juvenile filly. Placidia is a half-sister to French highweight Policy Maker (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), group winners Pushkin (Ire) (Caerleon) and Place Rouge (Ire) (Desert King {Ire}), and the dam of G1 Prix Ganay winner Planteur (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The latter's dam is already the granddam of the aforementioned Persian King. Click for the Racing Post result. VIDEO.

Thursday's Results:
UAE 1000 GUINEAS PRESENTED BY LONGINES-Listed, $125,000, Meydan, 1-28, 3yo, f, 8f, 1:38.67, fs.
1–SOFT WHISPER (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Placidia (Ire), by Sea the Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Palmeraie, by Lear Fan
3rd Dam: Petroleuse (Ire), by Habitat
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin; T-Saeed bin Suroor;
J-Frankie Dettori. $75,000. Lifetime Record: 6-4-2-0, $120,779.
2–Mnasek, 126, f, 3, Empire Maker–Washington Bridge, by
Yankee Gentleman. ($27,000 RNA Ylg '19 KEEJAN; $28,000 Ylg
'19 KEESEP; $15,000 2yo '20 FTIJUN). O-Al Rashid Stables LLC;
B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Doug Watson. $25,000.
3–Super Chianti, 126, f, 3, Super Saver–Tuscan Chianti, by
Roman Ruler. O/B-Charles E Fipke (KY); T-Doug Watson.
$12,500.
Margins: 7, 2 1/4, NK.
Also Ran: Khatun (GB), Nayefah, Heshmah, Revolutme (Ire).

The post Dubawi’s ‘Whisper’ Stuns in UAE 1000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Althiqa Prevails In The Cape Verdi

Althiqa (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was a model of consistency for trainer Charlie Appleby last season at three, and she continued in that vein on seasonal debut at Meydan on Thursday while picking up a first pattern-race win in the G2 Cape Verdi.

The winner of her lone 2-year-old start in May of 2019 before undergoing a wind surgery, Althiqa resurfaced in a seven-furlong novice event at Newmarket on June 14, which she won by 7 1/2 lengths. Returning 11 days later for the Listed Eternal Fillies' S. again over seven furlongs at Haydock, Althiqa was three-quarters of a length behind the winning Under The Stars (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) when third, and collected her first black-type score next out in Deauville's Listed Prix Amandine. Beaten just a length behind the great One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) when third in the G3 Oak Tree S. at Glorious Goodwood, Althiqa was second back at Deauville in the G3 Prix Lieurey going a mile over the heavy ground and wrapped up her season when second in Doncaster's G3 Sceptre Fillies' S. on Sept. 9. Going back up to a mile once again on Thursday, Althiqa jumped from the extreme outside gate nine under James Doyle and had all of her rivals up ahead as William Buick set the pace aboard her stablemate Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), the winner of last year's G3 Princess Elizabeth S. at Epsom.

With about five lengths to make up at the quarter pole, Althiqa swung widest of all but was moving noticably smoothly as she followed the winding-up Stylistique (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in her run. That pair set their sights on the still-leading Summer Romance inside the final quarter mile and provided a bit of drama when ducking towards the rail, but Althiqa emerged from the skirmishes in full flight and hit the wire 2 1/4 lengths the good.

“She has really quickened nicely there when I asked her,” said jockey James Doyle. “Analysing the race beforehand there looked to be a few who would go on, so after a slow start, I was happy to settle her in behind. She really hit the line well, so will definitely be worth a crack at the extra 200m in the Balanchine S. Before tonight, we thought 1600m was as far as she would want to go, so that was very pleasing.”

Pedigree Notes

Althiqa is the first foal out of the Listed Boadicea Fillies S. scorer Mistrusting (Ire) (Shamardal), who 3-year-old, Magical Land (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), was placed twice last year and who also has the 2-year-old filly Before Dawn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and a yearling colt also by Althiqa's sire. Rabbah Bloodstock purchased Althiqa's second dam, the G2 Cherry Hinton S. winner Misheer (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), for 70,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 2.

Thursday, Meydan, Dubai
CAPE VERDI PRESENTED BY LONGINES-G2, $163,000, Meydan, 1-28, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:35.08, gd.
1–ALTHIQA (GB), 126, f, 4, Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Mistrusting (Ire) (SW-Eng, $120,206),
by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Misheer (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
3rd Dam: All For Laura (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby;
J-James Doyle. $97,800. Lifetime Record: 8-4-2-2, $170,543.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: A++.
2–Stylistique (GB), 126, f, 4, Dansili (GB)–Sleek (GB), by Oasis
Dream (GB). O-Yvonne Jacques; B-Carisbrooke Stud (GB);
T-Roger Varian. $32,600.
3–Dubai Love (GB), f, 4, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Devotion (Ire),
by Dylan Thomas (Ire). (120,000gns Wlg '17 TATFOA).
O-Godolphin; B-Petches Farm Ltd (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor.
$16,300.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1, 1. Also Ran: Silent Night (Swe), Summer Romance (Ire), Perfect Inch (GB), Quiet Times (Ger), Last Look (Ire), Stunning Beauty (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.

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