Home/Article

The 2023 season encompassed a range of emotions in the horse racing industry. Record extensions, retirements, fatalities, and of course the thrilling rush of the sport itself, the year was to reminisce over. And today as the next season brings along with it newer talents and rivalries, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) arrived to celebrate the best of the names and the moments of the past season.

The NTRA shows up every year to organize the Eclipse Awards, an honor presented to equines and industry greats for contributions. The awards spread across various divisions of horse racing to include the many excelling names. This year, showcasing an exciting crossover, it was the past TIEA victors honoring the cherishable names of 2024.

Icons honoring the likes

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Godolphin, the racing and breeding team also happens to be the sponsor of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA). The awards recognize and celebrate the dedication of thoroughbred industry employees with £128,500 in prize money. Today as 3 of those previously recognized horse racing names stepped ahead to present at the Eclipse Awards, Godolphin proudly applauded the act. “Shout out to our past TIEA winners for helping present the trophies at this year’s Eclipse Awards,” Godolphin wrote on Instagram stories.

The evening of celebration was held at The Breakers Palm Beach and hosted by Britney Eurton, Nick Luck, and Caton Bredar. In the presence of the horse racing greats, it was an ’emotional night to remember’ as Blood Horse puts it. Starting with Britney Eurton’s “light amidst the darkness” remark, the evening went on to reminisce warming moments of the 2023 season.

A cherishable night for horse racing industry

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The night was especially emotional for Cody’s Wish and his connections. The moment of cheering between Cody Dorman and his namesake Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile victor won the ‘moment of the year,’ to begin. Next on the list, the equine’s trainer, Bill Mott secured his first Eclipse Award since 2011. Mott’s victory was also added on by Just F Y I and Elite Power for their excellence. The biggest of them all, however, was Cody’s Wish winning the ‘Horse of the Year’ title.

Also Read: Most Memorable Moments of Horse Racing History

The night further extended to honor trainer Jena Antonucci, an inspiration, and her 3-year-old equine Arcangelo. The star who made Antonucci the first female trainer to win an American triple crown race won the Champion 3-Year-Old Male Eclipse Award. Further along, the night saw 4 horse racing names defending their titles with consecutive wins.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Godolphin for leading owner and breeder 4th year in a row was first. Irad Ortiz Jr. an outstanding jockey for 5th time came next. Elite Power and Goodnight Olive took home Male and female sprinters next. A long list further continued to include ‘industry elected’ victors before focusing on the coming talents.

Watch this story: Equestrian creates a historic feat with her win at the Caldwell Night rodeo