HORSE RACING

• Rachel Alexandra voted 2009 Horse of the Year

  
  

  Beverly Hills, CA (Sports Network) - Rachel Alexandra, undefeated last year, has been voted 2009 Horse of the Year by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), National Turf Writers Association (NTWA) and Daily Racing Form (DRF). The filly achieved the honor over Breeders' Cup Classic winner Zenyatta.

  As a three-year-old filly, Rachel Alexandra won all eight starts including the Preakness Stakes, Haskell Invitational and Woodward Stakes. Owned by Jess Jackson and Harold McCormick, Rachel Alexandra earned more than $2.7 million in 2009 and was also voted champion three-year-old filly of the year.

  Jockey Calvin Borel was her jockey and she was trained by Steve Asmussen, who won his second straight Eclipse Award as champion trainer. Rachel Alexandra will continue her racing career in 2010 with the possibility of meeting Zenyatta.

  As way of a consolation prize, Zenyatta repeated as the Eclipse Award winner for older female thoroughbred. The mare, who will also race this year, won all five starts in 2009 and earned $3.33 million.

  In the voting for Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra received 130 votes and Zenyatta got 99 votes.

  The 2009 Eclipse Awards winners are: Horse of the Year: Rachel Alexandra Two-Year-Old Male: Lookin At Lucky Two-Year-Old Filly: She Be Wild Three-Year-Old Male: Summer Bird Three-Year-Old Filly: Rachel Alexandra Older Male: Gio Ponti Older Female: Zenyatta Male Sprinter: Kodiak Kowboy Female Sprinter: Informed Decision Male Turf Horse: Gio Ponti Female Turf Horse: Goldikova (IRE) Steeplechase Horse: Mixed Up Owner: Godolphin Racing Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Julien Leparoux Apprentice Jockey: Christian Santiago Reyes The 39th Eclipse Awards ceremony was held Monday at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

  The Eclipse Awards are presented by the NTRA, the National Turf Writers Association and Daily Racing Form in recognition of excellence in Thoroughbred racing.

  Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements 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.

  01/18 22:40:43 ET