Azeri became the first mare to be named Horse of the Year, since Lady’s Secret in 1986, at the 2003 Eclipse Awards Evening. The brilliant daughter of Jade Hunter, once beaten, was also unanimously named champion older female. A brilliant winner of the Breeders Cup Distaff, thrashing champion three year old filly Farda Amiga, Azeri will stay in training and bid to repeat her performances of this year. 

The champion two year old awards were given to the Breeders Cup winners, Vindication and Storm Flag Flying. The pair were rated average Experimental Free Handicap leaders on 126 and 123 pounds respectively.  

War Emblem was named champion three year old colt, despite losing his form towards the end of the season. In a mediocre year, the son of Our Emblem’s impressive wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness earned him the title. The near black colt has retired to stud in Japan.

The Broad Brush filly Farda Amiga was lightly raced but she was there when it mattered. Her exuberant connections picked up her award as champion three year old filly. Her upset win in the Kentucky Oaks came over the likes of Take Charge Lady, Habibti and You. She confirmed the form with a smooth win in the Alabama. A second to Azeri in the Breeders Cup Distaff ensured her status as champion. She has been retired and is going to outstanding sire Gone West. 

The late Left Bank picked up a deserving win as champion older horse, getting the nod over Street Cry and shock Breeders Cup Classic hero, Volponi. Left Bank who won both the Tom Fool and Whitney Handicaps in devastating style, recently died of colic. The son of French Deputy was a dual Grade 1 winner at four and the Todd Pletcher trained horse was retired at the time of his death. 

There was never going to be another champion sprinter other than Orientate. The son of Mt Livermore completed an impressive season with a gritty win in the Breeders Cup Sprint. One of the more versatile champion sprinters, Orientate has been retired to stud alongside his sire, Mt Livermore at Gainsway. His wins include success in the Indiana Derby and the Group 1 Forego Handicap earlier this season. 

The turf category was always going to be controversial with High Chaparral named champion turf male and the consistently high class Golden Apples champion female. High Chaparral continued European horses domination of this award following in the likes of Fantastic Light, Daylami and Kalanisi’s hoofprints. He won the Turf after completing the English/ Irish Derby double. Golden Apples was a multiple Grade 1 winner and despite being beaten in her last two starts, did enough in an open category. The Pivotal mare’s wins include the Yellow Ribbon and Beverly D Stakes and she stays in training as does High Chaparral. 

HORSE OF THE YEAR: AZERI

CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE: AZERI

CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD COLT: VINDICATION 

CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD FILLY: STORM FLAG FLYING 

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD COLT: WAR EMBLEM 

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD FILLY: FARDA AMIGA 

CHAMPION OLDER MALE: LEFT BANK 

CHAMPION SPRINTER: ORIENTATE 

CHAMPION TURF MALE: HIGH CHAPARRAL 

CHAMPION TURF FEMALE: GOLDEN APPLES 

STEEPLECHASER: FLAT TOP 

OWNER: RICHARD ENGLANDER 

BREEDER: JUDDMONTE FARMS 

JOCKEY: JERRY BAILEY 

APPRENTICE JOCKEY: RYAN FOGELSONGER 

TRAINER: BOBBY FRANKEL