Klarman's Eclipse Awards speech steals the show

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It was a record-equaling night at the Eclipse Awards for those connected to Bricks and Mortar, the Horse of the Year and male turf champion, but for the horse’s majority owner Seth Klarman it was a night not only to celebrate the achievements of his horse, but to implore the sport’s leaders to get their act together.

A few of the usual suspects offered thoughts on the state of the sport Thursday at Gulfstream Park, but they are those who have been in charge in recent years, too, so it was the fresh voice of literally the smartest guy in the room that carried the most weight. The brilliant Klarman is a wildly successful investor, and has a terrific passion for racing that dates to his early days attending races in Maryland. He’s not one to speak forcefully unless he feels compelled, and it was obvious he felt those currently entrusted with guiding the sport are dithering.

“Even as we celebrate Bricks’s amazing year, I want to share a few thoughts about my concern for the great sport of horse racing,” Klarman began. “This sport is not organized at the national level. We lack uniform rules, such as on the use of medication and use of whips. Stewards’ decisions go largely unexplained, creating a sense of chaos and unfairness. The sport is criticized, not wrongly, when the interests of the horses are seemingly put second to economics or personal glory.

“Those of us who love horse racing, everybody in this room, who appreciate the majesty and courage of the equine athletes, must fix this sport or risk its demise,” he said. “We must care for our Thoroughbreds in their retirement. We must be sure that our track surfaces are safe at all times, and when they’re not, races should not be run. We must study the impact of medication on the health and safety of horses, and let’s ensure that no one ever runs unsound horses.

“Only when we put the horses first are we able to put the sport first. Nothing less will do. We’re at a tipping point. We truly have no choice than to come together, reform, and reprioritize. Everyone here tonight has had a richer, more exciting and more memorable life because horse racing made it so. Everyone here knows what is wrong, and that we can and must do better.”

Klarman made his remarks in conjunction with being named champion owner along with his minority partner in Bricks and Mortar, William Lawrence. The trainer (Chad Brown), jockey (Irad Ortiz Jr.), and breeder (George Strawbridge Jr.) of Bricks and Mortar also received Eclipse Awards. This marked only the second time in the 49-year history of the Eclipse Awards that the Horse of the Year and all his human connections swept honors, emulating the feat of John Henry, trainer Ron McAnally, jockey Bill Shoemaker, owner Dotsam Stable, and breeder Golden Chance Farm for the 1981 season.

Klarman said the success of Bricks and Mortar was “largely due to the efforts of Chad Brown,” saying he managed Bricks and Mortar “with great skill and effort.” He called Ortiz “the perfect rider for a perfect season.”

The ceremony moved along briskly, clocking in at less than two hours, with those presenting awards keeping their remarks refreshingly brief. Acacia Courtney, Britney Eurton, and Gabby Gaudet – who co-hosted – were utilized in a clever way at evening’s end, with each one assigned to stand next to a table of one of the three finalists for Horse of the Year and then comment on the merits of that horse. Even though the outcome was largely assumed, it was a fitting way to acknowledge the accomplishments of Maximum Security and Mitole as well as Bricks and Mortar.

The In Memoriam tribute video concluded appropriately with Marylou Whitney, whom Gaudet subsequently lauded for her “grace, enthusiasm, and strength.”

The only sour notes were sounded by a trigger-happy band that early in the evening starting playing off the winners as soon as the one-minute mark was reached in their speeches, which caused some early winners to rush or abruptly conclude their remarks.

By the time the trainer award was announced, Brown, recognizing the show had sprinted by to that point, said: “We’re way ahead on time. Johnny Sax, you can take a bathroom break.”

Perhaps more time should be considered afforded to the winners of the awards. The industry leaders will have plenty of other venues at which they can speak. Assuming, of course, they took Klarman’s speech to heart.