A series of special events leading up to the 43rd annual Eclipse Awards, presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group, will benefit a range of racing-related charities, including the Gulfstream Thoroughbred Aftercare Program, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), The Race for Education and the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today. The Eclipse Awards will be held Saturday, January 18, at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
Among the events that are open to the public during Eclipse Awards Week are a golf tournament at The Westin Diplomat Golf & Tennis Club on Tuesday, January 14, that will benefit the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation; a celebrity poker tournament at Gulfstream on Thursday, January 16, to benefit the PDJF; a Ladies Luncheon on Thursday, January 16, to benefit the Race for Education; a ThoroFan Breakfast, featuring several racing luminaries and a day at the races on Friday, January 17; and a cocktail party at Gulfstream on Friday, January 18, to benefit the Gulfstream Thoroughbred Aftercare Program.
The week will culminate with Saturday night’s black-tie-optional Eclipse Awards ceremony, hosted by ESPN’s Jeannine Edwards, featuring the announcements of Horse of the Year and divisional champions, as well as outstanding horsemen and media.
“We are delighted to join Gulfstream Park and The Stronach Group, Daily Racing Form and the Breeders’ Cup to support these very worthy causes throughout Eclipse Awards Week,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA. “Last year’s events raised in excess of $120,000 for these important charities.”
Below is the complete schedule of events during Eclipse Awards Week (all times Eastern):
Wednesday, January 15 to Monday, January 20
Racing at Gulfstream Park – Live world-class Thoroughbred racing at Gulfstream Park, highlighted by the Jan. 18 Sunshine Millions, featuring six rich stakes events.
When: First post 12:40 p.m. daily
Where: Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino, Hallandale Beach, Fla.
More: gulfstreampark.com
Tuesday, January 14
Eclipse Awards Charity Golf Tournament – A scramble-format tournament benefitting the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, dedicated to funding equine medical research. Registration includes lunch, golf, cart, green fees, open bar and more. Additional prizes for Hole in One, Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive.
When: Registration, 11:30 a.m.; Shotgun Start, 12:30 p.m.; Cocktail Reception, 4:45-6:15 p.m.
Where: The Westin Diplomat Golf & Tennis Club, Hollywood, Fla.
Register: Grayson-Jockey Club
Contact: Nancy Kelly, The Jockey Club, nkelly@jockeyclub.com, (212) 512-5305
Thursday, January 16
Eclipse Awards Ladies’ Luncheon – A day at the races just for women – sponsored by Xpressbet and benefitting the Race for Education and its Starting Gate initiative, a college readiness and reading program for middle school students – featuring lunch by Christine Lee’s, drinks, a silent auction, wagering help from a Daily Racing Form handicapper and more.
When: 12 p.m. (Noon)
Where: Platinum Suite, Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Tickets: raceforeducation.org; $100 (gourmet lunch, reserved seat, manicure, program and more)
Contact: Brittany Bell, Race for Education, bbell@raceforeducation.org, (859) 252-8648
Eclipse Awards Charity Poker Tournament – Compete against Hall of Fame jockeys and trainers, as well as other well-known racing personalities, in this live-money poker tournament with proceeds benefiting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Contact: Jennifer Vitrella, Gulfstream Park, jennifer.vitrella@gulfstreampark.com, (954) 457-6186
Friday, January 17
ThoroFan Awards Breakfast – The second annual ThoroFan Awards Breakfast will honor Cot Campbell, founder of Dogwood Stable. Speakers include Mandy Pope, owner of champions including Groupie Doll and Havre de Grace, and William “Buff” Bradley, trainer of Groupie Doll. The program also features the announcement of the 2013 NTRA Moment of the Year and Horse Racing Nation Fan of the Year. Tickets include breakfast and seating for the day’s races.
When: 9 a.m.
Where: Ten Palms Restaurant, Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Register: Thorofan.com/awards
Contact: ThoroFan, board@thorofan.com
Eclipse Awards Celebration of the Thoroughbred – A private party for Eclipse Awards attendees to benefit Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred Aftercare.
When: 6 p.m. (private); 8 p.m. (public)
Where: Walking Ring, Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Register: Party included with Eclipse Awards ticket; open to public (with donation) after 8 p.m.
Contact: Jennifer Vitrella, Gulfstream Park, jennifer.vitrella@gulfstreampark.com, (954) 457-6186
Saturday, January 18
Eclipse Awards VIP Welcome Breakfast – Kick off the big day with a casual continental breakfast sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association
When: 8-10 a.m.
Where: The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Third Floor (Room 301)
Contact: Michele Ravencraft, NTRA, mravencraft@ntra.com, (859) 422-2657
The 43rd Annual Eclipse Awards presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group – Thoroughbred racing’s annual awards dinner with presentations for Horse of the Year, divisional champions, and outstanding horsemen and media.
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Sport of Kings Theater, Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Tickets: Eclipse NTRA.com ($400 per person; $4,000 table of 10)
Contact: Michele Ravencraft, NTRA, mravencraft@ntra.com, (859) 422-2657
Sunday, January 19
First Chance/Last Chance NHC Tournament – The top two finishers in this live-money tournament win the final two berths to the 2014 National Handicapping Championship, to be held the following weekend at Treasure Island Las Vegas (or, if already qualified twice, the 2015 NHC).
When: Check-in/Registration, 10 a.m.
Where: Ten Palms Restaurant, Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Register: gulfstreampark.com ($200 each; max. two per person; 20% discount for Eclipse Award guests)
Contact: Nancy Berry, Gulfstream Park, nancy.berry@gulfstreampark.com, (954) 457-6284
The Eclipse Awards, presented by the Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group, are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing.
Eclipse Awards voting is conducted by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB), the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (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.
A complete list of past Eclipse Award winners, including the Special Award recipients, can be accessed online at http://ntra.kinsta.cloud/en/eclipse-awards/history.
About the NTRA
The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of more than 80 horse racing interests consisting of leading Thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers, horseplayers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. 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).