Eclipse Awards Finalists Announced as U.S. Racing Reflects on a Defining Year - SAHorseracing.COM

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Posted 2026-01-04 17:51:46

Eclipse Awards Finalists Announced as U.S. Racing Reflects on a Defining Year

The finalists for the 2025 Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards have been confirmed, placing the spotlight on a season that blended emerging talent with established excellence across American Thoroughbred racing.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) jointly released the shortlists following a strong voting response. Of the 240 eligible voters, 221 participated, representing a 92 percent turnout. The electorate included racetrack racing officials, Equibase field personnel, NTWAB members, and Daily Racing Form.

Finalists in each category were determined by voters’ top three selections using a 10–5–1 points system, while Eclipse Award winners will be decided solely by first-place votes. The results will be revealed during the 55th Annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards ceremony on Thursday, January 22, airing live on FanDuel TV and other outlets from 7:30 p.m. ET. The evening will conclude with the announcement of the 2025 Horse of the Year, with finalists to be revealed during the broadcast.

Juveniles and Three-Year-Olds

The juvenile divisions highlight a competitive crop of young talent. Brant, Gstaad (GB), and Ted Noffey are finalists for Two-Year-Old Male honors, while Cy Fair, Explora, and Super Corredora contest the Two-Year-Old Filly category.

Among three-year-olds, Baeza, Journalism, and Sovereignty are shortlisted for Three-Year-Old Male, with Good Cheer, Nitrogen, and Shisospicy vying for top honors among Three-Year-Old Fillies.

Older Horses and Sprint Divisions

The older dirt male category reflects racing’s global reach, with Japan’s Forever Young (JPN) joined by Nysos and Sierra Leone. Scylla, Splendora, and Thorpedo Anna are finalists for Older Dirt Female.

Sprint honors remain wide open. Bentornato, Book’em Danno, and Nysos are nominated among Male Sprinters, while Kopion, Shisospicy, and Splendora make up the Female Sprinter shortlist.

Turf and Steeplechase

On turf, Deterministic, Notable Speech (GB), and Rebel’s Romance (IRE) are finalists in the Male Turf Horse division. Gezora (FR), She Feels Pretty, and Shisospicy are nominated among Female Turf Horses.

The steeplechase category features Cool Jet (IRE), Swore, and Zanahiyr (IRE), recognizing consistency and excellence over jumps.

Human Awards

The owner category includes Godolphin LLC, Klaravich Stables, Inc., and Spendthrift Farm LLC, while Don Alberto Corporation, Godolphin LLC, and WinStar Farm, LLC are finalists for Breeder.

Chad Brown, Brad Cox, and Bill Mott headline the Trainer category. Jockey finalists are Irad Ortiz Jr., Flavien Prat, and John Velazquez, with Christopher Elliott, Yedsit Hazlewood, and Pietro Moran nominated for Apprentice Jockey.

Additional Honors

Beyond the competitive categories, Dan Piazza will receive the Eclipse Award as the 2025 Horseplayer of the Year. Members of the racing media will also be honored across six categories for outstanding coverage.

Named after the undefeated 18th-century champion Eclipse, whose influence remains embedded in modern Thoroughbred bloodlines, the Eclipse Awards continue to stand as the sport’s highest benchmark of excellence.

Full Nominations