Eclipse Awards Recap with Connections of Each Winnner

Twitter posts @NTWAB by Dick Downey


Fans voted the Moment of the Year, revealed earlier this week, to the stirring repeat win of the BigAss Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Cody's Wish as the late Cody Dorman and his family looked on. Our hearts go out to the Dorman family.
 

NTWAB congratulates all of tonight's #EclipseAwards winners, starting with champion 2-year-old male Fierceness, who capped off his 2023 campaign with an upset win of the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. 
Fierceness is the third Repole Stable 2 year old Champion after Uncle Mo and last year’s Champion Forte.
FIERCENESS CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST START
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: Repole Stable, Inc.
City of Light - Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty

The champion 2-year-old filly is the well-deserved Just F Y I. She won coast-to-coast Grade I races in 2023, the NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita after taking the Frizette Stakes at the "Belmont at the Big A" meet. #EclipseAwards
JUST F Y I CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST START
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: William I. Mott
Owner: George Krikorian
Breeder: George Krikorian
Justify - Star Act, by Street Cry (IRE)

Each year sees a new crop of Apprentice Jockeys who are given a weight edge as they start their careers. This year's award for best Apprentice Jockey goes to Axel Concepcion at the #EclipseAwards.

The 2023 Horseplayer of the Year, presented at the #EclipseAwards, is Paul Calia of Kansas City. He was best of of 779 entries in the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship and also finished fourth. It was the first contest that Calia ever won. In all, he took home $950,000.

Steeplechase racing has a rich history going back to 1752 Ireland, and it continues in the modern age. The 2023 champion Steeplechase horse is Merry Maker. #EclipseAwards

We have awesome Media #EclipseAward winners this year, and you can read about them in detail at https://www.ntwab.org/ntwab-members-headline-media-eclipse-awards

Media #EclipseAward - Writing – Feature/Commentary – NTWAB member Tim Layden, NBCSports.com – "Maple Leaf Mel and the long arc of a horse racing tragedy," Nov. 1, 2023 https://www.nbcsports.com/news/maple-leaf-mel-and-the-long-arc-of-a-horse-racing-tragedy

Media #EclipseAward - Writing- News/Enterprise – NTWAB member Sean Clancy, The Saratoga Special – “The Worst Test,” Aug. 6, 2023 See p. 17 at https://thisishorseracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/08-06-23.pdf

Media #EclipseAward - Multimedia – TDN Writers’ Room Podcast – “Wade and Carson Yost,” September 20, 2023; Susan Finley, Publisher, Thoroughbred Daily News https://vimeo.com/876413676

Media #EclipseAward - Live Television Programming – NBC Sports – “The Breeders’ Cup World Championships,” Nov. 3-4, 2023; Lindsay Schanzer, Senior Producer

Media #EclipseAward - Feature Television Programming – Woodbine Entertainment: “SECRETARIAT The Last Race,” – Oct. 8, 2023. Airing on TSN (The Sports Network) in Canada. Tammy Gillanders, Producer https://players.brightcove.net/61382429001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6340430983112

Media #EclipseAward - Photography – Carolyn Simancik – “Trading Horse Paint,” (Cody’s Wish/National Treasure battle in Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile) The Press Box, Nov. 4, 2023 https://www.ntra.com/wp-content/uploads/Eclipse-Awards-Media-Photo.jpeg

A most accomplished recipient of this year's Special #EclipseAward for Career Excellence is retired NTWAB member Tom Hammond. Here's the full release about him: https://www.ntwab.org/tom-hammond-named-for-special-eclipse-award-for-career-excellence Tom is not only talented but gracious and has always been a tremendous ambassador of our sport.

The champion male sprinter is Elite Power, who in 2023 went 4-for-5 with a second, cultimated with victory in the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint. His campaign ran from February to November after winning the Sprint Eclipse for 2022. #EclipseAwards
ELITE POWER CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST START
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: William I. Mott
Owner: Juddmonte
Breeder: Alpha Delta Stables, LLC
Curlin - Broadway's Alibi, by Vindication

The champion Female Sprinter of the year is Goodnight Olive. In 2023 she won the Grade 1 Madison Stakes, Grade 2 Bed o' Roses Stakes and the Grade 1 PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Like Elite Power, she won the 2022 Eclipse in this category.
GOODNIGHT OLIVE CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST START
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Owner: First Row Partners and Team Hanley
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC
Ghostzapper - Salty Strike, by Smart Strike
#EclipseAwards

Outstanding Trainer of the Year at the #EclipseAwards is Hall of Famer Bill Mott. He trained three Breeders' Cup winners in 2023: Elite Power, Cody's Wish and Just F Y I. Mott also won this award in 1995, 1996 and 2011.

The top Male Turf Horse #EclipseAward goes to Up to the Mark, winner of the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic and was a close second in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. He won five races in all last year.
UP TO THE MARK CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST START
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Owner: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables LLC
Breeder: Ramspring Farm
Not This Time - Belle's Finale, by Ghostzapper

The #EclipseAward for champion Female Turf Horse goes to Inspiral (GB), who got up in the final strides to courageously win the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The victory came after back-to-back Group 1 wins in Great Britain and France.
INSPIRAL (GB) CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST START
Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori
Trainer: John H. M. Gosden
Owner: Cheveley Park Stud, Ltd.
Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud Limited
Frankel (GB) - Starscope (GB), by Selkirk

Jockey of the Year honors go to Irad Ortiz, Jr, who in 2023 totaled 366 wins with three Breeders' Cup wins (White Abarrio, Elite Power and Goodnight Olive). This is his fifth #EclipseAward, having also won in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.

The 2023 #EclipseAward for top owner goes to Godolphin, who also won in 2009, 2012, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Leader in earnings, Godolphin campaigned FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF winner Master of the Seas and BigAss Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody's Wish.

Godolphin was also named top Breeder at the #EclipseAwards after a truly outstanding year. It's the third consecutive year Godolphin has won this distinction.


The #EclipseAward for top 3-year-old Male is won by Arcangelo, whose most notable achievements were winning the Triple Crown final leg Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets and the Travers Stakes at Saratoga.
ARCANGELO CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST START
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Trainer: Jena M. Antonucci
Owner: Blue Rose Farm LLC
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Arrogate - Modeling, by Tapit

The #EclipseAward for Top 3-year-old Female is presented to Pretty Mischievous who won three consecutive Grade 1s, the Longines Kentucky Oaks, the Acorn Stakes Presented by Great Jones Distilling Co. and the Test Stakes.
PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST RACE
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh
Owner: Godolphin, LLC
Breeder: Godolphin
Into Mischief - Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit

The 2023 champion Older Dirt Female Idiomatic compiled an amazing eight wins from nine starts with a second, including wins in the Breeders' Cup Distaff and the Juddmonte Spinster to end her year. She ran to three Grade 1 wins, a Grade 2 win and a Grade 3 win.
IDIOMATIC CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST START
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Owner: Juddmonte
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Inc.
Curlin - Lockdown, by First Defence

Cody's Wish is the winner in the Older Dirt Male category at the #EclipseAwards, as well as Horse of the Year. His accomplishments include winning his second consecutive BigAss Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Kylie Dorman was invited to the lecturn to present the final award.
CODY'S WISH CONNECTIONS AS OF LAST RACE
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: William I. Mott
Owner: Godolphin, LLC
Breeder: Godolphin
Curlin - Dance Card, by Tapit

June 2026 Letter from the President; Kentucky Derby Meeting Minutes

June 15, 2026
My fellow NTWAB Members, It was great seeing so many of you during the Triple Crown season and at our biannual meeting held during Kentucky Derby week.

Ben Baugh, Ocala Area NTWAB Member, Dies at 60

May 7, 2026
Ben Baugh, a longtime member of NTWAB, died unexpectedly overnight after the Kentucky Derby. He was 60. Baugh lived in Reddick, just north of Ocala, Fla., and most recently worked with 352today.com, where fellow journalist Scott Harrell described him as a consummate newsman. "In fact, the only things Ben loved more than the place he lived were the equine sports it helps nurture and support," Harrell wrote. "His final stories for 352Today concerned the region’s connection to his cherished Kentucky Derby. “Ben was a dedicated journalist who cared deeply about his work and the community he served. He brought curiosity, professionalism, and a steady presence every day,” wrote North Central Florida Media GM Lisa Varner in an internal announcement published at 352today. “His contributions to 352today and the stories he told will have a lasting impact, and he will be greatly missed.” Former trainer Randy Bradshaw eulogized Baugh on Facebook, writing "That’s so sad - spent a week with Ben when he was doing a piece on Wayne Lukas, he was a great person and talented writer!" Former jockey Pablo Morales posted upon his retirement, "I wanna give a huge thank you to Benjamin Baugh for writing about my career and my retirement, having his support thru my time as a jockey has been an honor...." Baugh's coverage of U.S. efforts to support local military veterans drew the praise of Todd Belknap, an official of Vets Helping Vets. "I met Ben when I was the Deputy Director at Vets Helping Vets USA. Ben was so approachable, and he had a keen sense of humor to navigate the rigors of journalism and the mine fields that accompany the trade," Belknap wrote. "Ben helped us tremendously at Veterans Helping Veterans USA, always fitting us in on his already crammed schedule whenever we had a story or event we needed help promoting." Baugh's LinkedIn bio says he was a graduate of Ashland University in Ohio and covered politics, public safety, education, religion, entertainment and equestrian sports for 28 years. He had previously written for the Ocala Gazette, its former sister publication Ocala Style, and Past the Wire. According to the latter publication, Baugh was "an intern at Thoroughbred Racing Communications, and through hands-on time at Adena Springs South and Crupi’s New Castle Farm, learning racing not just as a craft but as a way of life." Ed DeRosa of Horse Racing Nation posted at X, "Worked with Ben at TTimes way back when.RIP!" A report at 352.com says Baugh was discovered on the morning of May 3 by his stepfather, John Butt, who came to wake him for church. According to his Facebook page, Baugh is survived by his brother Matthew Baugh and cousins Errol Portman, Rita Schineis, Lorraine Portman and Carolyn Dent. A post at 352today.com says information about any memorial events will be forthcoming. We at National Turf Writers and Broadcasters extend our sympathies to Ben's family, friends and colleagues. By Dick Downey .

Open Letter to FanDuel and Flutter Entertainment from NTWAB

March 31, 2026
Earlier today, the board of directors of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters shared a letter with executive leadership at FanDuel and Flutter Entertainment expressing our concerns regarding the decision to phase out FanDuel TV.

Newsletter from President Byron King Ahead of Kentucky Derby

March 27, 2026
NTWAB's spring meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at 11 a.m. ET in the press conference area at Churchill Downs. Members attending in person are welcome to join us on-site, and a Zoom option will be available for those unable to travel. More.....

NTWAB 2025 Eclipse Awards Voting

March 27, 2026
Click through the link to view NTWAB members 2025 Eclipse Awards votes

The 2025 Eclipse Awards: It's Official

January 23, 2026
Cutting to the chase, and to the surprise of almost no one, the HORSE OF THE YEAR is SOVEREIGNTY. Other finalists were Forever Young and Journalism. Congratulations!

Media Eclipse Award Winners Announced

January 8, 2026
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters today announced the winners of the 2025 Media Eclipse Awards in six categories. Every entry must have been primarily published or aired for the first time between November 16, 2024, and November 14, 2025.

2025 Eclipse Awards Finalists Announced

January 4, 2026
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) today announced the finalists for the 2025 Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence through the past year in Thoroughbred racing.

NTWAB, The Jockey Club to Co-Fund Record Nine Media Internships in 2026

December 26, 2025
The National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB), with matching financial support from The Jockey Club, has agreed to support a record nine internship applications at horse racing media outlets in 2026, by far the largest group funded since the program began in 2023.

NTWAB Notes from the President

December 4, 2025
It was great seeing so many of you at Del Mar for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup and during our annual NTWAB Awards Dinner and our general membership meeting during Breeders’ Cup week.