Winners of the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year since 1971, when Thoroughbred racing's multiple year-end awards were merged into the Eclipses.
DRF WEEKEND: How Horse of the Year voters play the game | 2010 finalists
PAST CHAMPIONS: Winners in every division going back to 1936 (PDF)
Yelling has been heard on most every corner in horse racing’s little village the last two years.
“How could Zenyatta not have been named Horse of the Year in 2009?” comes an angry shout from somewhere in the darkness of the World Wide Web.
“Championships are decided on the racetrack,” another voice sternly intones. “Blame cannot be denied Horse of the Year honors in 2010.”
The three brightest lights in racing in North America in 2010 -- Blame, Goldikova, and Zenyatta -- on Thursday were announced as finalists for 2010 Horse of the Year by the three sponsoring organizations of the awards, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.
In 2010, Gio Ponti added to an already stellar reputation.
After a 2009 season in which Gio Ponti won two Eclipse Awards – outstanding older male and outstanding turf male – he was campaigned in 2010 through an international seven-race campaign that included two Grade 1 stakes wins, one each at Belmont Park and Keeneland.
He was first or second in six American starts, all stakes.
