Zenyatta Tops 2008 Eclipse Divisional Voting
Juvenile Stardom Bound Gets Third Highest Vote Behind Curlin
Feb 6, 2009
Two fillies, a senior and a juvenile, captured the highest and the third highest number of divisional votes between Curlin's Champion Older Male count of 239 in 2008's Eclipse Award show in Miami Beach. While Horse of the Year Curlin also captured his second straight HOY title, four-year-old Zenyatta got the most available votes in any division with 240, and Stardom Bound, a star-bound juvenile, garnered 236.
Fillies Ruled in Breeders' Cup
Both fillies sizzled on the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita Park in October's Breeders' Cup championships by charging through the homestretch all alone. Each won the BC brass ring and each grabbed a divisional Eclipse Award.
Zenyatta's team announced that the gargantuan black filly will not ride off into the sunset just yet. She is being scheduled to compete as a five-year-old this season.
Asmussen Reaps Reward Via Curlin
In addition to Curlin's HOY award, his team enjoyed a second Eclipse Award as Steve Asmussen received the Trainer of the Year vote. Asmussen took over Curlin's career in the champion's three-year-old season.
Voting Results 2008 Eclipse Awards
Breeder -- Adena Springs, 139; Stonerside Stable, 60; Winstar Farm, 13
Owner -- Stronach Stables, 47; IEAH Stables, 46; Stonestreet Stables and Midnight Cry Stables, 29
Trainer -- Steve Asmussen, 187; Robert Frankel, 15; Larry Jones, 9
Jockey -- Garrett Gomez, 210; Rafael Bejarano, 11; Robby Albarado, 9
Apprentice Jockey -- Pascacio "Paco" Lopez, 150; Inez Karlsson, 34; Abel Mariano, 18
Horse of the Year -- Curlin, 153; Zenyatta, 69; Big Brown, 13
Older Male -- Curlin, 239; Commentator, 1; Albertus Maximus, 1
Older Female -- Zenyatta, 240; Ginger Punch, 2
3-Year-Old Male -- Big Brown, 219; Raven's Pass, 21; all others, 2
3-Year-Old Female -- Proud Spell, 90; Eight Belles, 71; Goldikova, 41
2-Year-Old Male -- Midshipman, 195; Vineyard Haven 32; Old Fashioned, 7
2-Year-Old Female -- 236; Maram, 2; Springside, 2
Sprinter Male -- Benny the Bull, 107, Midnight Lute, 86; Street Boss, 40
Female Sprinter -- Indian Blessing, 138; Ventura, 88; Intangaroo, 13
Turf Male -- Conduit, 175; Einstein, 31; Grand Couturier, 11
Turf Female -- Forever Together, 137; Goldikova, 94; Cocoa Beach, 6
Steeplechase -- Good Night Shirt, 217; Be Certain, 1; High Action, 1
Stronach Scores Double
Frank Stonach scored his second double award year by copping the top breeder Eclipse for Adena Springs and the outstanding owner Eclipse for Stronach Stables. An Austrian native, Stronach also captured both those awards in 2000 for the same enterprises.
2009 Plans for 2008 Award Winners
Curlin -- retired to stud at William Farish's Lanes's End Farm, Versailles, Kentucky; fee, $75.000
Zenyatta -- preparing in Southern California; trainer, John Shirreffs
Big Brown -- retired to stud at Three Chimneys Farm; fee, $65,000
Proud Spell -- preparing in Louisiana; trainer, Larry Jones
Midshipman -- preparing in Dubai; trainer, Saeed bin Suroor
Stardom Bound -- preparing in Southern California; trainer, Bobby Frankel
Benny the Bull -- retired from racing with stud career undecided
Indian Blessing -- preparing in Southern Californa; trainer, Bob Baffert
Conduit -- preparing in England; trainer, Michael Stoute
Forever Together -- preparing in South Florida; trainer, Jonathan Sheppard
Good Night Shirt -- preparing with trainer Jack Fisher
