Blood-Horse

Godolphin's now 6-year-old homebred Cody's Wish was announced as the Horse of the Year at the 53rd annual Eclipse Awards dinner Jan. 25 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

Even with the résumé of a brilliant miler, Godolphin's now 6-year-old homebred Cody's Wish was named the champion older dirt male. The son of Curlin won four of five starts, 3 grade 1s in 2023.

Idiomatic won eight of nine starts in 2023, capped by capturing the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), Spinster Stakes (G1), and Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). Now, she has a championship to go with those achievements.

Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Pretty Mischievous was crowned champion 3-year-old female after scoring three grade 1 wins during her 2023 campaign.

Blue Rose Farm's Arcangelo capped the year with wins in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1), triumphs that separated him from the rest of a highly competitive 3-year-old division and delivered him the Eclipse Award for 3-year-old male. 

The operation claims its third consecutive title as leading owner and leading breeder.

This is the fifth Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey received by Ortiz in the past six seasons. Ortiz ties Laffit Pincay Jr. for second-most all-time. He is two away from Jerry Bailey, who won the award a record seven times (1995-97, 2000-03).

Cheveley Park Stud's remarkable mare, Inspiral, has gone from strength to strength, and 2023 proved to be her strongest yet, capping the year with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park.

The 2023 recognition of Up to the Mark as champion male turf horse will ensure that one of the top seasons in North American grass racing in terms of distance versatility at the highest level of racing will long be celebrated.

A stable deep in champion-caliber runners delivered a fourth Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer to William "Bill" Mott. Cody's Wish gave the Hall of Fame trainer a season he'll never forget.

In storybook fashion, Goodnight Olive has done the unfathomable, giving owners First Row Partners (Steve Laymon) and Team Hanley (Jay Hanley) a second Eclipse Award for 2023 in the female sprinter category.

From the start of the Eclipse Awards in 1971 through last year, just two horses were honored with multiple championships as North America's top male sprinter: Housebuster (1990-91) and Roy H (2017-18). Now, Elite Power joins their ranks.

It was a big step forward for Merry Maker, who after running once in 2021 and twice the following year (fourth- and sixth-place finishes), began 2023 with a win in an allowance race.

The 18-year-old Puerto Rican native got off to a quick start at Camarero, debuting Jan. 1 and winning each of his first two races. Moving stateside, he won his first ride at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 19.

Just F Y I becomes the 2023 champion juvenile filly from an undefeated season and two grade 1 wins, including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Not only does Fierceness give Mike Repole the Eclipse Award for 2-year-old male a second season in a row and third time since 2010, the son of City of Light—Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty, provides the added satisfaction of being a homebred winner. 

The former chief stipendiary steward for The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Kim Kelly, writes an appeal for a better system of judging races.

Creciendo Juntos is a group focused on empowering the Hispanic teenagers who are part of the Churchill Downs' backstretch community, to become healthy and effective leaders, fostering a sense of community and activism.

An order was entered in a Kentucky court officially dismissing with prejudice the appeal of Medina Spirit's disqualification of his win of the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Victoria Oliver is hoping to reverse a stable trend when she saddles BBN Racing's Trademark for a start in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27.