2022 MEDIA ECLIPSE AWARDS RULES

The Eclipse Awards for Media are presented by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters. Rules governing the Media Eclipse Awards are established by representatives of the three presenting organizations.

MEDIA ECLIPSE AWARD CATEGORIES

  • Writing – News/Enterprise
  • Writing – Feature/Commentary
  • Photography
  • Television – Live Racing Programming
  • Television – Features
  • Audio/Multimedia Internet

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

Entries must be RECEIVED by 5:00 p.m. (ET), Friday, November 18, 2022. Entries received after that time will not be accepted.

Entries for the Writing, Photography, and Audio Multimedia and Internet, and Television awards will be accepted through the Eclipse Awards Submissions Portal.

ENTRY FEE

None

RULES

Entries should display outstanding achievement in the coverage of North American Thoroughbred racing and must have been primarily published or aired for the first time between November 20, 2021, and November 18, 2022. All submissions are limited only to works pertaining to the Thoroughbred breed, and no other equine breed. Submissions on subjects, topics, and individuals which took place exclusively outside of North America will not be accepted.

  • Print and Internet submissions (news/enterprise writing, feature/commentary writing, and photography) must have been published in a paid-circulation publication OR on the Internet at a website that is a same-name affiliate of a paid-circulation publication, recognized broadcast news organization (e.g., The BloodHorse Interactive, the Boston Globe Online, MSNBC) or on an independent, non-industry supported website.
  • Television entries must have aired on a commercial, subscription or public television station.
  • Audio/Multi-Media Internet entries must have aired on a commercial or public radio station or been broadcast on the Internet at a site that is a same-name affiliate of a paid-circulation publication or recognized broadcast news organization.

Fiction or entries that constitute a commercial application (e.g., advertisements, publicity or promotions) are not eligible in any category.

Submissions are limited to outlets that are managed by an independent editorial department.

LETTERS OF ENTRY

Entries must originate with the author (print submissions) or producer (audio/multi-media Internet and television submissions). All entries must include a cover letter, and uploaded in the Submissions Portal from the author (for print submissions), photographer (for photography submissions), or producer (for audio/multimedia Internet and television), stating his/her wish to enter his/her materials; publication/broadcast information (outlined below); and contact information (name, address, telephone, fax, cell phone and e-mail, as applicable).

Please indicate the category of each submission in your cover letter. If you are submitting in two different categories please include two separate cover letters.

The cover letter in the two writing categories, photography and audio/multimedia must be written in a stand-alone Word Document and uploaded to the Submissions Portal. Please include the date that the media organization published the article, in the cases of the writing and photography awards, or the air date of a multi-media/internet submission.

DO NOT include information in your cover letter extolling the virtues of your story and the “impact” on the public at large, or the time and effort devoted to writing or producing the entry. The judges will not see your letter, and it will have no bearing on the outcome of the competition.

Editors may submit print materials on behalf of authors, provided such submissions include the cover letter described above. All other third-party submissions will be rejected. In the writing categories, submissions by editors on behalf of multiple writers from a publication on a feature subject, special section or a compendium of stories on breaking news will be rejected.

Authors and producers must identify in their cover letters any sections of their submissions that have been previously published in their current form i.e. tracts of copy taken verbatim from articles or videos containing the exact same language or narration, that is being repurposed for the current entry. This information will be relayed to the judges.

The presenting organizations reserve the right to determine the eligibility of all entries and to disqualify an entry at any time, including after the determination of an award, at its sole discretion. The presenting organizations reserve the right not to bestow an award in a particular category, based on the quantity or (as determined by a panel of judges) the quality of submissions. Questions concerning eligibility should be directed to the address for entries, listed below.

By submitting an entry for consideration, the entrant represents and warrants that submission is a factual and accurate depiction of the subject it concerns.

LIMITS ON ENTRIES

Two per entrant, per category (with an exception for a multi-part series in the writing categories).  Entrants in the writing categories are limited to submissions by the individual author, or by the author’s editor, with permission from the author.

Upon submission, you will receive an automatic reply from NTRA to notify you that your entry or entries have been received. The NTRA will contact you directly if there are any rules or issues with your submission. It is the obligation of the individual to follow up if he or she did not receive an automatic reply in the writing, multi-media, and photography categories.

MEDIA ECLIPSE AWARDS CATEGORIES

News/Enterprise and Feature/Commentary Writing

There are two categories of competition for Writing awards:

  • News/Enterprise – Submission guidelines for works in this category are the following: timely, hard news articles and expository pieces involving concentrated background research, investigative reporting, or news analysis.
  • Feature/Commentary – Submission guidelines for works in this category are: columns, opinion pieces, essays, viewpoints, and biographical profiles.

Please note that competition in the Writing categories is limited to three (3) authors in the byline for single articles or for articles submitted as a multi-part series.

No Q&A submissions will be accepted in either category.

Multi-Part Series Rules

Within each category of writing, authors may submit a multi-part series of related articles that

Submission in either the News/Enterprise or Feature/Commentary category excludes the candidate from submitting the same written piece in the Audio and Multi-Media Internet category.

Books – Excerpts from published books, whether complete narratives or in anthology form, will not be accepted.

Authors must identify in their cover letters any sections of their submissions that have been previously published in their current form i.e. tracts of copy taken verbatim from articles or videos containing the exact same language or narration, that is being repurposed for the current entry. This information will be relayed to the judges.

 COVER LETTER

Please upload a cover letter in the Submissions Portal stating the name, date, and publication of your submission and the category you have selected. Please also send a web link of your article as proof that it was published during the time period of the competition.

Submissions Portal Link

https://www.ntra.com/eclipse-award-media-submission-portal/

 

 

Photography

Photography entries are limited to images for events that took place in North America. Submission must have been published in a paid-circulation publication OR on the Internet at a website that is a same-name affiliate of a paid-circulation publication, recognized broadcast news organization (e.g., The BloodHorse Interactive, the Boston Globe Online, MSNBC) or on an independent, non-industry supported website. Submissions posted on Twitter, Facebook or any other social media outlet will not be accepted.

COVER LETTER

Please upload a cover letter through the Submissions Portal in an attachment stating the name, date, and publication of your photography submission. Please also send a web link of your photograph as proof that it was published during the time period of the competition.

SUBMISSION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Photographers must submit in jpeg format one image of each photo, with NO identifying marks (e.g., photographer’s name). The submission must be accompanied by a single “Web print” in the cover letter of the published photo showing date, publication title, and photographer’s name. Note: No Zip Files will be accepted.

Submissions will be judged based on the following criteria: originality, creativity, composition, and magnitude of the moment.

Please note that cropping of the original photo by the editor in the picture’s final published form will be accepted. However, photographs that include color enhancement, “Photoshopping” or deliberate alteration of the image will not be allowed in the competition.

Submissions Portal Link

https://www.ntra.com/eclipse-award-media-submission-portal/

 

Television – Live Racing Programming and Features

Television entries (features or live racing programming) from a recognized over-the-air, cable, or satellite outlet are to be submitted in via the weblink to the portal listed below. Your link must be accompanied by a letter detailing the name of the entrant, the date each program aired, and the name of the station or network on which it aired. Commercials must be deleted or the entry will be disqualified. However, opening billboards returning from a commercial break will be accepted.

Only television media outlets may submit entries in this category. Submissions from racetracks or racing organizations, or promotional projects from breeding farms, will not be accepted into the competition. (i.e. The Kentucky Derby broadcast must be submitted by NBC Sports)

There are two television categories:

  • Live Racing Programming entries must be from a live racing program of Thoroughbred horse racing. Programs with the subject matter primarily devoted to morning workouts will not be included.
  • Feature entries may be submitted as either single, stand-alone pieces, a documentary, a historical piece, a news report, or as part of a live-racing program. Entries in the Features category are limited to 120 minutes. Features may NOT be submitted for separate consideration in this category if the same program has been submitted for entry in the Live Racing category.  “Medley” tapes containing more than two features, of any duration, will not be accepted

ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE SENT AS WEB LINKS and uploaded to the Submissions Portal.

Submissions Portal Link

https://www.ntra.com/eclipse-award-media-submission-portal/

Please be sure your entry is not password protected and that your link will open directly to your submission. 

 

Audio/Multimedia Internet

Audio/Multimedia Internet entries is one category combining audio (radio, podcasts) with multi-media. It is not two separate categories. All entries must have aired on a commercial or public radio station or been on the Internet at a site that is a same-name affiliate of a paid-circulation publication or recognized broadcast news organization. Entries airing exclusively on YouTube will not be accepted.

  • All entries in this category must be limited to 60 minutes. Entries for live radio broadcasts may submit a compilation of the best work over the course of one program. ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE SENT AS WEB LINKS and uploaded to the Submissions Portal.
  • The Audio/Multimedia Internet category may consist of audio only (e.g., a radio or Internet-based broadcast) OR a multi-media, Internet-based submission, whose components include audio. No more than two (2) individual radio or Internet-based audio broadcasts per person may be submitted. “Medley” tapes containing more than three radio shows or Webcasts, of any duration, will not be accepted.
  • The Multimedia Internet entries must have one integrated theme and be presented in a Webcast centering on a news event, subject, or feature. To be eligible, the Webcast must include at least two forms of media, one of which must be original The complementary form(s) of media may be video, photographs, graphics, and/or print (e.g., a story or stories). Please note that if the entry includes video, the video must be produced as original content.
  • The entry, in its entirety, must be retrievable from one Internet frame, with links to components of the package being considered part of the frame, provided they link back to pages within the originating Web site and not to other, external Websites. Entries that first appeared over the air or on cable television prior to appearing on the internet will not be accepted.
  • Submission in the Multimedia Internet category excludes the candidate from submitting the same written piece in the News/Enterprise or Feature/Commentary categories.
  • Multimedia Internet submissions must be accompanied by a letter from the editor or equivalent senior official of the website, attesting that the package is the work of the author(s) or organization that submitted it and that it appeared on the website on the date(s) in question.
  • Authors/Producers must identify in their cover letters any sections of their submissions that have been previously published in their current form i.e. tracts of copy taken verbatim from articles or videos containing the exact same language or narration, that is being repurposed for the current entry. This information will be relayed to the judges.

Audio/Multimedia Internet entries must be submitted as a single URL Web address.

Commercial breaks for radio entries must be deleted or the entry will be disqualified. However, an opening “billboard” with sponsor mentions will be permitted.

Submissions of Webcasts and Radio Programs must be accompanied by:

  • A letter from the Web producer or equivalent senior official of the Website attesting that the work is that of the author who submitted it and including the date the program was Webcast and the name of the website on which it aired.
  • Program title and air date of the production or webcast
  • The name of the network, radio station, or web outlet

Submissions Portal Link

https://www.ntra.com/eclipse-award-media-submission-portal/

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NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS

Winners will be notified by the NTRA no later than Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

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