Europeans take top honours
High Chaparral and Islington took the Turf honours at the prestigious Eclipse Awards in America last night.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, High Chaparral was crowned top Turf male a second time while Sir Michael Stoute’s Islington was rewarded for her win in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf by taking the female prize.
Mineshaft, who started life with John Gosden, was named as Horse of the Year in the Hollywood ceremony, as well as picking up the top Older male honour.
Trained by Neil Howard, the five-year-old won four Grade One events before injury cut short his career.
Funny Cide, a New York-bred gelding who caught the attention of racing fans with his victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, beat old rival Empire Maker to be crowned champion three-year-old male while Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town took the equivalent female honours, just beating Pascal Bary’s Six Perfections to the prize.
Aldebaran, who was formerly trained by Henry Cecil in Britain, was also among the winners taking the best sprinter prize while Action This Day and Halfbridled took the male and female juvenile honours respectively.
Azeri was named top older female after three Grade One wins last year while Michael Moran’s McDynamo, who enjoyed an undefeated season in 2003 included a win in the Breeders’ Cup Steeplechase Stakes, was named champion chaser by a massive margin.
