LEXINGTON, Ky. (Thursday, December 4, 2014) – The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup Limited and The Stronach Group will return as presenting sponsors of Thoroughbred racing’s annual championship gala. The 44th Annual Eclipse Awards presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group will be held January 17 at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Daily Racing Form and Breeders’ Cup Ltd. signed on as the first presenting sponsors in the event’s history in 2011. The Stronach Group joined them the following year when The Eclipse Awards was first hosted at their South Florida property, Gulfstream Park, where it has been celebrated each year since.
“Once again we thank our presenting sponsors Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group for their continued support of The Eclipse Awards,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “Without them, this event would not be the glamorous and memorable evening that it has become in South Florida.”
The “black-tie optional” Eclipse Awards highlights a full weekend of events, several of which will be tied to charitable causes. A Friday night, Jan. 16, party in the Gulfstream Park paddock benefitting Gulfstream Thoroughbred Aftercare will have a “Havana Nights” theme. Saturday, Jan. 17, is Sunshine Millions at Gulfstream with five major stakes races for Florida-breds cumulatively worth more than $1 million. Sunday, Jan. 18, features a “First Chance/Last Chance” qualifier for the National Handicapping Championship.
Tickets to the Eclipse Awards ceremony are on sale for $400 each or $4,000 for a table of 10. For reservations, please contact Michele Ravencraft of the NTRA at mravencraft@ntra.com, or call (859) 422-2657.
The Eclipse Awards voting is conducted by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB), the NTRA and Daily Racing Form. The Eclipse Awards ceremony is produced by the NTRA.
The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies.
About the NTRA
The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 horse racing interests and thousands of individual stakeholders consisting of horseplayers, racetrack operators, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity, welfare and integrity of Thoroughbred racing through consensus-based leadership, legislative advocacy, safety and integrity initiatives, fan engagement and corporate partner development. The NTRA owns and manages the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, NTRA.com, the Eclipse Awards, the National Handicapping Championship, NTRA Advantage, a corporate partner sales and sponsorship program, and HORSE PAC, a federal political action committee. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on NTRA.com, Twitter (@ntra) and Facebook (facebook.com/1NTRA).