12/27/2012 5:47PM

Eclipse Awards to DRF's Cain Oakford, NBC Sports, ESPN

By Matt Hegarty
Email

Glenye Cain Oakford, a Daily Racing Form reporter, has been named the recipient of the Eclipse Award for Audio/Multi-Media Internet, the organizations administering the Eclipse Awards announced on Thursday along with two other winners.

Cain Oakford was honored for a piece appearing on the DRF website on Feb. 28 called “Zenyatta: Wait for First Foal Combines Science, Art and Anticipation.” It combined written text and video to outline the foaling process, including film of a live birth delivered by Eduardo Terrazas at Terrazas Thoroughbreds.

“The public doesn’t often get to see that drama, and I hoped through the video and story they could,” Cain Oakford said in a release. “I’m very grateful to Eduardo and night-watchman Troy Saylor for telling that story so eloquently and in such touching, honest, personal terms.”

Also on Thursday, the organizers of the awards announced that NBC Sports will receive the Eclipse Award for Live Programming for its 2 1/2-hour broadcast of the Kentucky Derby on May 5. The broadcast was produced by Rob Hyland. NBC has won nine awards in the category for live programming.

ESPN will receive the Eclipse Award for Television-Features, for an “E:60” program on the network that aired on Oct. 30. The program followed the rescue, recovery, and rehabilitation of a filly, Notinrwildestdremz, after being put up for adoption following a raid on Center Brook Farm in 2009. The program was produced by Heather Lombardo, and was written and narrated by multiple Eclipse Award-winner Bill Nack.

The Eclipse Award ceremonies are scheduled for Jan. 19 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

russell More than 1 year ago
On another note, please tell me why CD does not run a GR1 race at 1 1/8 on the dirt for older horses on Derby Day. Its beyond stupid that they do not. After the SA Big Cap in early March there is a big hole in the calendar unless you run in Dubai, which very few US horses do. You need to showcase older horses that can bring a following! Run a $1million race at 1 1/8 or 1 3/16 like the old Pimlico Special.
russell More than 1 year ago
The NBC coverage of the Derby is painful to watch. How many times do I have to hear "Ky Derby presented by Yum Brands". Of the 2 1/2 hours of coverage tell me what meaningful insight these morons provide? Thats why I like the BC so much better than Derby Day. Every 30 minutes is another great race.
Slew32A More than 1 year ago
So they got an Eclipse for the only piece they did on Horse Racing. Big Deal.
laura ban More than 1 year ago
N.B.C. and E.S.P.N getting an Eclipse - Well, that explains the drop in temperatures in the southern regions lately!!
Amy Hurley More than 1 year ago
Clever - and very true - comment. Hard to understand how ESPN could win an Eclipse after ignoring horse racing all year long.
laura ban More than 1 year ago
It was as close as I could get and still have the comment post! I agree with both you and Anonymous - Poker is a sport? Really?
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
It's a shame that the 'media giants' mention here distracted my attention from Ms Oakfords' fine work. My apologies...
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
Don't think ESPN deserves so much as a losing win ticket for pushing racing to the side...for poker and other nonsense.
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
NBC should be charged for all that mess they broadcast. Big hats and bs is their product.
Diane Hain More than 1 year ago
Agreed! I am shocked and dismayed to hear they have been given an eclipse.