Florida to host Eclipse Awards

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced Friday that the

2008 Eclipse Awards ceremony will be held January 26, 2009, at the Fontainebleau

Miami Beach. The event will mark the first Eclipse Awards to be held in Florida

since the 2003 ceremony, which was held in January 2004 in Hollywood, Florida.

For the last four years, the Eclipse Awards have been presented in Beverly

Hills, California, and they will return there in January 2010.

"The Eclipse Awards return to Florida after a strong, four-year run in

southern California," said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president of the NTRA.

"The newly remodeled Fontainebleau Miami Beach will be a memorable venue at

which to celebrate our 2008 Eclipse champions."

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. 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 presented by the NTRA, the National Turf Writers

Association (NTWA) and Daily Racing Form (DRF) in recognition of excellence in

Thoroughbred racing.