The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) today released the names of the winners for the 2004 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 34th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony, to be held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Calif. This information is embargoed until 12:45 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, January 25.

Horse of the Year: Ghostzapper

Two-Year-Old Male: Declan`s Moon

Two-Year-Old Female: Sweet Catomine

Three-Year-Old Male: Smarty Jones

Three-Year-Old Female: Ashado

Older Male: Ghostzapper

Older Female: Azeri

Sprinter: Speightstown

Male Turf Horse: Kitten`s Joy

Female Turf Horse: Ouija Board (GB)

Steeplechase: Hirapour (IRE)

Owner: Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey

Breeder: Adena Springs

Jockey: John Velazquez

Apprentice Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

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 Derbys.

Voting Overview In voting that concluded Dec. 27, 2004, 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, 2005. Eclipse Award winners were determined by first-place votes only.

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)

Declan`s Moon, 188; Afleet Alex, 44; Wilko, 22; Rockport Harbor 17; Roman Ruler 1. Voter Abstentions, 2.

Two-Year-Old Filly

Sweet Catomine, 273; Runway Model, 1. No abstentions.

Three-Year-Old Male

Smarty Jones, 265; Kitten`s Joy, 7; Birdstone, 2. No Abstentions.

Three-Year-Old Female

Ashado, 257; Ouija Board (GB), 14; Stellar Jayne, 1. Voter Abstentions, 2.

Older Male

Ghostzapper, 269; Pleasantly Perfect, 4; Roses in May, 1. No Abstentions.

Older Female

Azeri, 179; Sightseek, 91; Storm Flag Flying 3; Adoration, 1. No Abstentions.

Sprinter

Speightstown, 157; Pico Central (BRZ), 101; Ghostzapper, 15. Voter Abstentions, 1.

Male Turf Horse

Kitten`s Joy, 247; Singletary, 12; Better Talk Now, 9; Soaring Free, 2; Sulamani, 2; Leroidesanimaux, 1; Nothing to Lose, 1. No Abstentions.

Female Turf Horse

Ouija Board (GB), 235; Ticker Tape (GB), 24; Intercontinental (GB), 6; Light Jig (GB), 2; Megahertz (GB), 2; Wonder Again, 2; Commercante (FR), 1; Lucifer`s Stone, 1. Voter Abstentions, 1.

Steeplechase Horse

Hirapour (IRE), 216; Sur La Tete, 10; McDynamo, 8; Preemptive Strike, 2; Tres Touche, 2; Cherokee in the Hills, 1. Voter Abstentions, 35.

Horse of the Year

Ghostzapper, 174; Smarty Jones, 95; Ashado, 1; Kitten`s Joy, 1. Voter Abstentions, 3.

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Outstanding Owner

Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, 100; Michael Gill, 79; Someday Farm, 41; Adena Springs/Stronach Entities, 27; Juddmonte Farms, 12; Gary Tanaka, 2, Eugene and Laura Melnyk, 2; Sam-Son Farm, 2; Robert Bone,1; Robert and Beverly Lewis, 1; Louis O`Brien, 1. Voter Abstentions, 6.

Outstanding Breeder

Adena Springs, 166; Juddmonte Farms 26; John Franks, 18; Someday Farm, 16; Aaron and Marie Jones, 13; Farnsworth Farms, 9; Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, 9; William S. Farish, 3; Arthur Appleton, 1; Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Wygod, 1. Voter Abstentions, 12.

Outstanding Trainer

Todd Pletcher, 155; Steve Asmussen, 71; Robert Frankel 35; John Servis 12; Voter Abstentions, 1.

Outstanding Jockey

John Velazquez, 241; Edgar Prado, 14; Rafael Bejarano, 6; Jerry Bailey, 4; Stewart Elliott, 4; Ramon Dominguez, 3; Alex Solis, 1. Voter Abstentions, 1.

Outstanding Apprentice Jockey

Brian Hernandez, Jr., 164; Pablo Fragoso, 84; Mick Ruis, 5; James Graham, 2; Eric Camacho, 1; Brandon Whitacre, 1. Voter Abstentions, 17.

Voter participation rate: 274/329 = 83%

The winner of the Eclipse Award of Merit, voted on by a panel of representatives from the three presenting organizations and previously announced, is Oaklawn Park and the Cella Family. The Eclipse Award of Merit is presented to an individual or entity displaying outstanding lifetime achievement in, and service to, the Thoroughbred industry.

The winner of the Special Award, voted on by a panel of representatives from the three presenting organizations and previously announced is Dale Baird. The Special Award is presented to honor outstanding individual achievements in, or contributions to, the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

Media Eclipse Awards also are given in the categories of photography, audio and multi-media Internet, news/commentary, feature/enterprise writing, local television, national television-feature and national television-live racing programming to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. The 2004 Media Eclipse Awards winners, determined by a judges` panel for each category and previously announced, are:

* Photography: Cindy Pierson Dulay, "Stephan`s Angel Leaps," Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, July 2004.

* Writing - Feature/Enterprise: Mike Jensen, "Smarty Jones Series," Philadelphia Inquirer, May 1- August 6, 2004

* Writing - News/Commentary: Bill Christine, "Kayak II," Los Angeles Times, December 24, 2003

* TV - Live Racing: NBC Sports, David Michaels, Belmont Stakes, June 5, 2004.

* TV - Feature: ESPN, ESPN Original Entertainment, Fritz Mitchell, "Smarty Jones: America`s Horse," October 31, 2004

* TV - Local: WAVE 3 TV, Louisville; "Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs," Dan Foos; May 1, 2004

* Audio and Multi-Media Internet : Premiere Radio Networks, Shelby Whitfield, Belmont Stakes, June 5, 2004