2019 Eclipse Awards: Steve Asmussen

Steve Asmussen cut his hair in 2019. He did not cut back on the winning.

Asmussen sheared his long gray locks while tearing through another incredible season as a trainer of all manner of winners throughout North America. Asmussen might be found one day saddling a $10,000 claiming horse he owns himself and the next putting tack on surefire 2019 older female dirt champion Midnight Bisou.

:: Full list of 2019 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories

No trainer anywhere in the world has such a diverse firepower in his arsenal, and Asmussen’s ability to keep the operation humming at all levels has made him an Eclipse Award finalist once again.

Asmussen won 433 races during 2019, his highest annual win total since he knocked out 506 in 2010. His stabled earned nearly $27.5 million, second-highest total in North America during the year. Only trainer Karl Broberg, with 547 wins, sent out more winners during 2019. Broberg’s runners, by contrast, earned about $9.2 million.

Midnight Bisou might’ve been the stable star – but only by a nose. Asmussen also managed Mitole through a fantastic campaign that included Grade 1 wins over one mile in the Metropolitan Stakes, seven furlongs in the Churchill Downs Stakes, and six furlongs in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Mitole will be champion sprinter, could be champion older male dirt horse, and might be a finalist for Horse of the Year.

Mitole is retired but Midnight Bisou races on in 2020. She’ll race in the $20 million Saudi Cup – perhaps on the same day Asmussen lands a couple maiden-claiming victories at Sam Houston.