2003 ECLIPSE AWARD-WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) today released the names of the winners for the 2003 Eclipse Awards. The Eclipse Awards are voted on and presented by the NTRA, Daily Racing Form (DRF) and National Turf Writers Association (NTWA). The votes are tabulated and certified by Ernst & Young LLP. Winners in all categories will be announced tonight at the 33rd annual Eclipse Awards ceremony, to be held at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Fla. This information is embargoed until 9:00 p.m. Eastern on Monday, Jan. 26, 2004.

Horse of the Year: Mineshaft

Two-Year-Old Male: Action This Day

Two-Year-Old Female: Halfbridled

Three-Year-Old Male: Funny Cide

Three-Year-Old Female: Bird Town

Older Male: Mineshaft

Older Female: Azeri

Sprinter: Aldebaran

Male Turf Horse: High Chaparral (IRE)

Female Turf Horse: Islington (IRE)

Steeplechase: McDynamo

Owner: Juddmonte Farms

Breeder: Juddmonte Farms

Jockey: Jerry Bailey

Apprentice Jockey: Eddie Castro

Trainer: Robert Frankel

Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon the Thoroughbred horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements have earned them the title of Champion in their respective divisions. The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and 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.

Voting Overview In voting that concluded Dec. 29, 2003, Eclipse Awards voters cast their ballots to rank the top three horses and individuals in each Championship division. This voting established the top three finalists in each division, the names of which were released on Jan. 5, 2004. Eclipse Award winners were determined by first-place votes only.

Beginning this year, the voting procedure for the Eclipse Awards was changed from "electoral college" style voting to "one person, one vote." The tallies below represent only first-place votes from members of the consolidated voting entities, NTRA/Equibase, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers Association.

Two-Year-Old Male (Name, First-Place Votes)

Action This Day, 114; Cuvee, 42; Birdstone, 23; Lion Heart, 22; Eurosilver, 13; Read the Footnotes, 12; Chapel Royal, 9; Silver Wagon, 3; Ruler`s Court, 2; The Cliff`s Edge, 2; Cactus Ridge, 1; Sir Oscar, 1; Tapit, 1. Voter Abstentions, 3.

Two-Year-Old Filly

Halfbridled, 247; Ashado, 1. No Abstentions.

Three-Year-Old Male

Funny Cide, 150; Empire Maker, 92; Ten Most Wanted, 4; Peace Rules, 1. Voter Abstention, 1.

Three-Year-Old Female

Bird Town, 96; Six Perfections (FR), 94; Composure, 20; Elloluv, 15; Island Fashion, 14; Spoken Fur, 6; House Party, 1; Lady Tak, 1. Voter Abstention, 1.

Older Male

Mineshaft, 221; Congaree, 11; Pleasantly Perfect, 7; Medaglia d`Oro, 5; Candy Ride (ARG), 3; Perfect Drift, 1. No Abstentions.

Older Female

Azeri, 123; Sightseek, 107; Adoration, 9; Wild Spirit (CHI), 5; Harmony Lodge, 2; Starrer, 1. Voter Abstention, 1.

Sprinter

Aldebaran, 137; Cajun Beat, 74; Congaree, 27; Shake You Down, 7; Ghostzapper, 3. No Abstentions.

Male Turf Horse

High Chaparral (IRE), 138; Storming Home (GB), 73; Johar, 17; Sulamani (IRE), 12; Falbrav (IRE), 3; Redattore (BRZ), 2; Balto Star, 1; Voter Abstentions, 2.

Female Turf Horse

Islington (IRE), 90; Heat Haze (GB), 74; Six Perfections (FR), 66; Tates Creek, 11; Ipi Tombe (ZIM), 6; Bien Nicole, 1. No abstentions.

Steeplechase Horse

McDynamo, 225; Praise the Prince (NZ), 4; Voter Abstentions 19.

Horse of the Year

Mineshaft, 209; Congaree, 11; Halfbridled, 9; Funny Cide, 4; Candy Ride (ARG), 3; High Chaparral (IRE), 2; Medaglia d`Oro, 2; Azeri, 1; Empire Maker, 1; Perfect Drift, 1; Pleasantly Perfect, 1, Six Perfections (FR), 1. Voter Abstentions, 3.

Outstanding Owner

Juddmonte Farms, 102; Michael Gill, 51; Edmund Gann, 32; Sackatoga Stable, 27; Stronach Stable, 13; Richard Englander, 9; John Franks, 3; Eugene and Laura Melnyk, 1; Farnsworth Farms, 1; Flaxman Holdings/Niarchos Family, 1; Wertheimer Farm LLC, 1; William S. Farish et al, 1. Voter Abstentions, 6.

Outstanding Breeder

Juddmonte Farms, 171; Adena Springs/Stronach Entities, 36; John Franks, 9; Flaxman Holdings/Niarchos Family, 8; William S. Farish et al, 8; Farnsworth Farms, 6; WinStar Farm, 4; Albert and Joyce Bell, 1; Mockingbird Farm/Harry Mangurian, 1. Voter Abstentions, 4.

Outstanding Trainer

Robert Frankel, 193; Richard Mandella, 44; Steve Asmussen, 5; Todd Pletcher, 5; Scott Lake, 1. No Abstentions.

Outstanding Jockey

Jerry Bailey, 211; Patrick Valenzuela, 17; Edgar Prado, 10; Ramon Dominguez, 5; Julie Krone, 2; Jose Santos, 2; John Velazquez, 1. No Abstentions.

Outstanding Apprentice Jockey

Eddie Castro, 147; Ryan Fogelsonger, 52; Pablo Fragoso, 12; John McKee, 11; Luis Chavez, 3; Mick Ruis, 1; Voter Abstentions, 22.

Voter participation rate: 79% (248/313)

The winner of the Eclipse Award of Merit, voted on by a panel of representatives from the three presenting organizations and previously announced, is Richard L. Duchossois. The Eclipse Award of Merit is presented to an individual displaying outstanding lifetime achievement in, and service to, the Thoroughbred industry.