The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today that FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Keeneland, Kendall-Jackson Winery and Racetrack Television Network (RTN) have all renewed agreements to serve as Official Partners of The Eclipse Awards Presented by Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group. The 43rd annual Eclipse Awards will be held Saturday at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
New Eclipse Awards partners this year include the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA) and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
“We greatly appreciate the support of these organizations that share an ongoing love of, and commitment to, the Thoroughbred industry,” said Keith Chamblin, Senior Vice President of the NTRA. “As Official Partners, all will contribute to the success of the Eclipse Awards while benefitting from prime exposure to many of horse racing’s most influential players.”
HRTV is the Official Broadcast Partner of the Eclipse Awards and will provide live coverage of the event Saturday from 8-11 EST (5-8 p.m. PST). HRTV will also offer a half-hour Eclipse Awards recap show at 11 p.m. EST (8 p.m. PST). Live coverage of the ceremony will also be available via RTN, DRF.com and HRTV.com.
The lineup of partners complements the three previously announced presenting sponsors, all of which renewed from last year: Daily Racing Form, Breeders’ Cup and The Stronach Group.
Tickets to the Eclipse Awards are available for $400 each. Order forms for tickets are available at www.ntra.com. For additional information on tickets or accommodations, please contact Michele Ravencraft of the NTRA at mravencraft@ntra.com.
Returning Partners
FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips provide drug‐free support and protection to the respiratory system of the hard‐working equine athlete. FLAIR Strips are proven to: reduce airway resistance, reduce lung stress and bleeding, reduce fatigue, and shorten post‐exercise recovery time.
Keeneland is a rare combination of high-stakes commerce, genteel sporting tradition and remarkable innovations. As the world’s largest Thoroughbred auction company, Keeneland’s horse sales topped $500 million in 2013. The racing program offers some of the richest purses – and therefore the most competitive racing – of any track on the continent. Twelve of this year’s Eclipse Award finalists have Keeneland connections, including Horse of the Year candidate Wise Dan, a Grade I winner at the Lexington, Ky., racetrack.
Kendall-Jackson Winery was founded in 1982 and is committed to making wines from only the best quality grapes. Today, the winery is committed to producing the highest quality wines. Through responsible land management, sustainable practices and artisan winemaking techniques, Kendall-Jackson is committed to quality in all things.
The Racetrack Television Network (“RTN”) is an 80-channel subscription package that caters to horsemen, bettors and racing fans worldwide by delivering every simulcast from North American and select international tracks to televisions, computers, and mobile devices (including iPhones, iPads, Android phones and Android tablets). The television package is available via satellite provider DISH Network, while the online and mobile packages are available directly from RTN at www.rtn.tv. RTN offers the largest simulcast menu in the pari-mutuel industry-either commercially or residentially.
New Partners
The mission of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is to safeguard the public and support Florida’s agricultural economy by: ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of food and other consumer products through inspection and testing programs; protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices and providing consumer information; assisting Florida’s farmers and agricultural industries with the production and promotion of agricultural products; and conserving and protecting the state’s agricultural and natural resources by reducing wildfires, promoting environmentally safe agricultural practices, and managing public lands.
The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA) is a not-for-profit association which represents more than 1,300 Thoroughbred breeders and owners who breed, raise, train and race horses born in the state of Florida.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka is and always has been 100% American-made and produced in Austin, Texas. It was the state’s first and oldest legal distillery, and is one of the fastest-growing micro distilleries in the country. Tito’s Handmade Vodka continues to be a privately owned liquor brand developed by Tito Beveridge and can be found in all 50 states and in some Canadian provinces. The slow, six-times distilled vodka is called one of the smoothest vodkas on the market by the country’s top bartenders, and was awarded a score of 95 by Wine Enthusiast.
The Eclipse Awards
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. The Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Those awards are voted by NTRA, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). Eclipse Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. An Eclipse Award is also presented to the Handicapper of the Year.
The Eclipse Awards are produced by the NTRA.
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).