Liam canonized 2005 Horse of the Year

Saint Liam garnered Horse of the Year and champion older male honors  (Joseph DiOrio/Horsephotos.com) Mr. and Mrs. William Warren Jr.'s SAINT LIAM (Saint Ballado), who capped 2005 with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), was crowned Horse of the Year at Monday evening's Eclipse Award ceremonies at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California. Sixteen equine and human prizes were handed out during Thoroughbred racing's version of the Oscars. Saint Liam, who was also named champion older male, got off to a fast start in 2005 for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., recording a sizzling 3 3/4-length victory over eventual Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner Roses in May in the Donn H. (G1) in early February at Gulfstream Park. He suffered his only unplaced finish when sixth in the Santa Anita H. (G1) next out but bounced back to easily capture the Stephen Foster H. (G1) at Churchill Downs in mid-June. The Whitney H. (G1) in early August came next and Saint Liam turned in a courageous effort from off the pace before falling a neck short in second. He rounded out his career with a pair of outstanding performances in the Woodward S. (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic. Under confident handling from Jerry Bailey, Saint Liam toyed with his Woodward rivals at Belmont Park on September 10, effortlessly cruising to the lead at the top of the stretch and galloping to the finish line. He oozed class and was fun to watch. The competition was tougher seven weeks later on Breeders' Cup Day, but they were all overmatched against Saint Liam. When the bay horse launched his rally on the far turn, one could tell that the race was over. Saint Liam rumbled down the stretch with complete authority, his overpowering strides serving as the defining moment on the program of championship racing at Belmont Park.

Bred in Kentucky by Edward Evans in 2000, Saint Liam sold for $130,000 at the

2001 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale. He broke his maiden at three and

finished second in the 2003 Iowa Derby. Transferred to Dutrow later that season,

the colt's career took off in 2004 with placings in the New Orleans H. (G2),

Oaklawn H. (G2) and Woodward, the latter a superb runner-up showing by a neck to

2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper. His first stakes win came in November's Clark H. (G2)

and he entered 2005 with lofty goals. Saint Liam realized those with four

prestigious wins and the Horse of the Year title.

He heads to stud with an overall mark of 20-9-6-1 and earnings of more than $4.4 million.

Saint Liam is out of the stakes-winning Quiet Dance

(Quiet American), runner-up in the 1995 Demoiselle S. (G2), who is also the dam

of 2004 Bay Meadows Derby (G3) winner Congressionalhonor (Forestry).

Cash is King stable's

AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet) finished second in the

Horse of the Year balloting and was the near unanimous selection as champion

three-year-old male. A convincing Belmont S. (G1) and Preakness S. (G1) winner,

the bay colt fell only a length short of winning the Triple Crown when third in

the Kentucky Derby (G1). The Tim Ritchey-trained colt also recorded an

eight-length success in the Arkansas Derby (G2). He earned more than $2 million

last year.

His racing career concluded with a scintillating seven-length triumph in the

"Test of Champions" (the Belmont), but the dual classic winner will

always be remembered for his spectacular agility approaching the top of the

stretch in the Preakness when a rival suddenly cut in front of his path,

clipping heels and nearly sending Afleet Alex and jockey Jeremy Rose to the

ground. He somehow regained his balance and quickly recovered his momentum,

driving clear in midstretch en route to an awe-inspiring 4 3/4-length tally.

Most onlookers had never seen anything like it.

Bred in Florida by John Martin Silvertand, Afleet Alex brought $75,000 at the

Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May two-year-old sale and earned nearly $2.8 million from

a 12-8-2-1 record. He's out of the winning Maggy Hawk (Hawkster) and counts

multiple Grade 2-placed Unforgettable Max as a full brother. His maternal

granddam is 1983 Demoiselle S. (G1) winner Qualique (*Hawaii).

ASHADO (Saint Ballado), who shone with terrific victories in the Beldame S.

(G1), Go for Wand H. (G1) and Ogden Phipps H. (G1) last year, was honored as

champion older female. Owned by Starlight Stable, Paul Saylor and Johns Martin,

the four-year-old filly entered 2005 with high expectations -- having been named

champion three-year-old filly in 2004 -- and Ashado delivered, earning more than

$1 million under the direction of Todd Pletcher. She became only the fourth distaffer to garner both champion three-year-old filly and champion older

female honors, the first since Life's Magic in 1984-85.

Her campaign didn't start smoothly with two straight setbacks, but Ashado

returned to form with a three-length tally in the Ogden Phipps in mid-June. She

romped by 9 1/2 lengths in the Go for Wand and recorded the 11th stakes victory

of her stellar career in October's Beldame. The dark bay concluded her racing

days with a third in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) and retired with total

earnings of $3,931,440 from a 21-12-4-3 line. Bred in Kentucky by Aaron and

Marie Jones, Ashado was purchased for $170,000 at the 2002 Keeneland September

yearling sale and is out of the stakes-winning Goulash (Mari's Book), who is

also the dam of three other stakes-placed performers. Her granddam is 1985 Santa

Ynez S. (G3) heroine and multiple Grade 1-placed Wising Up (Smarten). Ashado's

three-year-old full brother, Sunriver, is a Kentucky Derby hopeful this

spring.

Phipps Stable's

SMUGGLER

(Unbridled) held the unique distinction within the three-year-old filly

division of capturing two Grade 1 prizes. Accordingly, the Shug McGaughey

trainee earned the Eclipse Award, following in the exalted footsteps of her dam,

Inside Information (Private Account), who was champion older mare in 1995.

Smuggler served notice that she would be a prominent player in the division

when finishing a battling second in the Acorn S. (G1) after pressing a torrid

pace. She posted convincing victories in her only other starts, the Mother Goose

S. (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks S. (G1). In the Mother Goose, she was

bothered for a moment as Spun Sugar (Awesome Again) drifted into her path in the

early stages, but she took no notice, comfortably stalking Spun Sugar's quick

tempo before collaring her. Although her rival was unfailingly game and kept

plugging away to keep the margin close, Smuggler was tenderly handled by Edgar

Prado and was not extended at the wire. With this victory, she avenged her dam's

loss in the 1994 edition of the race. In the Coaching Club American Oaks,

Smuggler dispatched her familiar foes by 3 1/2 easy lengths.

Just as she was apparently going from strength to strength, she came down

with a fever that interrupted her training and ultimately led to her being

sidelined for the rest of the season. In 2005, Smuggler scored three wins and a

second from four starts, while her career record stands at 7-5-2-0 with $634,600

in earnings.

Bred in Kentucky by Ogden Mills Phipps, Smuggler hails from one of the most

influential female lines in the stud book, the family of Grey Flight (*Mahmoud),

responsible for a multitude of top-class performers. To focus only on immediate

relations, Inside Information racked up six Grade 1 victories, including a

memorable 13 1/2-length demolition job in the Breeders' Cup Distaff S. (G1).

Inside Information's half-sister is multiple Grade 1 queen Educated Risk (Mr.

Prospector), and another half-sister, multiple Grade 2-placed Hidden Reserve

(Mr. Prospector), is the dam of recent Queens County H. (G3) winner

Philanthropist (Kris S.) and 2004 Laurel Futurity (G3) winner Defer (Danzig).

In light of her dam's phenomenal four-year-old season, Smuggler's best days

may lie ahead, and it is to be hoped that we see much more of her in 2006.

Leroidesanimaux captured two Grade 1 events in 2005  (Benoit Photo) Stud TNT and Stonewall Farm Stallions' LEROIDESANIMAUX (Brz) (Candy Stripes) won the Eclipse Award for champion turf male in a squeaker, with a three-vote margin of 119-116 over Artie Schiller (El Prado [Ire]), his conqueror in the Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G1). That was the only reverse suffered by the Bobby Frankel charge in 2005, as he was a brilliant winner of his other three starts, crowning an eight-race win streak dating to early 2004. Leroidesanimaux kicked off 2005 with a gutsy victory in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) at Santa Anita, finishing the mile strongly despite dueling through brutal early fractions. He did not reappear until the Fourstardave H. (G2) at Saratoga, when he cruised to a new course record for the 1 1/16 miles in 1:39 4/5. In his most visually impressive effort, Leroidesanimaux blew away a solid field in the Atto Mile S. (Can-G1), exploding from the quarter pole and drawing off to a 7 3/4-length triumph. After that scintillating effort, he developed foot problems, ultimately leading to his contesting the Breeders' Cup Mile in aluminum pads. He still managed to finish second in a valiant try, although likely compromised physically. Throughout his North American career, the handsome chestnut compiled a sterling record of 10-8-1-0 with earnings of $1,650,900. Leroidesanimaux had captured three stakes in succession in 2004, setting a new 8 1/2-furlong Hollywood turf course record of 1:38 2/5 in the Inglewood H. (G3), closing late to garner the 6 1/2-furlong Morvich H. (G3) down the hill at Santa Anita, and prevailing determinedly in the Citation H. (G1). Those three stakes, preceded by two scores in allowance/optional claiming company, along with his 2005 coups, comprised his eight-race win streak.

Bred by Haras Bage Do Sul in Brazil, where he began his racing career,

Leroidesanimaux is out of Dissemble (GB) (Ahonoora), who is a half-sister to the

dam of 2005 champion turf female Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill).

Intercontinental retires with eight graded stakes wins and more than $2 million in earnings  (Benoit Photo) Juddmonte Farms' homebred INTERCONTINENTAL emulated her older sister Banks Hill (GB) by earning the Eclipse Award as champion turf female after a brilliant coup in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf S. (G1). The Bobby Frankel-trained mare captured five of seven starts during her 2005 campaign, with one second and a troubled third, while racing exclusively in graded stakes, and her career scoreline reads 22-13-3-4 with earnings of $2,052,382. Intercontinental has often shown a willful temperament to match her brilliance on the racecourse, and that forceful personality was on display in her rank, front-running victories in the Jenny Wiley S. (G3) at Keeneland, Hollywood Park's Royal Heroine Invitational S. (G3) and the Palomar H. (G2) at Del Mar. She employed the same tactics to a successful conclusion in Keeneland's Galaxy S. (G2). When rating off the pace, she closed mildly to finish second in the Just a Game Breeders' Cup H. (G2) and was a frustrated third in the John C. Mabee H. (G1) at Del Mar after enduring a nightmarish trip. She saved her best for last in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, her first attempt at 1 1/4 miles. Partnered for the first time by Rafael Bejarano, Intercontinental strode majestically to the front and was a picture of composure through a mile in 1:38, then quickened in devastating style to post a final quarter in :24 1/5 and win by 1 1/4 lengths. The strength of the result was a rarity in racing: the second, third and fourth place finishers -- Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]), Film Maker (Dynaformer) and Wonder Again (Silver Hawk) -- had filled the top three positions in that order in the 2004 edition of the race.

Remarkably, Intercontinental is the third champion produced by her dam, the

French stakes winner Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi), all of them by Danehill. Her first

foal, Dansili (GB), was a champion in England and France and finished a

barnstorming third in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile. Her second foal is Banks

Hill, who was also a European champion in 2001 and 2002 in addition to her

Eclipse Award. Hasili's other foals are also accomplished. Heat Haze (GB) (Green

Desert) captured the 2003 Beverly D. S. (G1) and Matriarch S. (G1). Cacique (Ire) (Danehill),

a French Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1-placed, has been transferred to

Frankel and may add to the family laurels in America. Moreover, Hasili is a

half-sister to the dam of 2005 champion turf horse Leroidesanimaux as well

as the dam of 2005 Del Mar Breeders' Cup H. (G2) winner Three Valleys (Diesis

[GB]). This is also the family of multiple Grade 2 winner Hawksley Hill, who

narrowly lost to Da Hoss in the 1998 Breeders' Cup Mile. With a genetic code

like this to draw upon, Intercontinental promises to uphold the family tradition

as she joins the Juddmonte broodmare band.

LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier), who captivated audiences from coast to coast

with a brilliant sprint campaign that fell one race short of perfection, is

2005's champion sprinter. Based in Northern California with trainer Greg

Gilchrist, the Harry Aleo-owned colt won eight races at seven different tracks,

traveling cross-country to New York and Florida repeatedly and dominating his

opposition at every stop but his last with blazing speed. The toll of a long

season may have caught up with him on Breeders' Cup Day, but voters didn't hold

that lone setback against the best short-distance specialist in 2005.

His accomplishments included the King's Bishop S. (G1), Carry Back S. (G2),

Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup S. (G2), Swale S. (G2), Bay Shore S. (G3) and Sunshine

Millions Dash S., and the superb sophomore was odds-on in all nine appearances

on the track. Now 10 for 11 overall, Lost in the Fog was bred in Florida by

Susan Seper and passed through the sales ring three times, bringing $13,000 as a

2002 Keeneland November weanling and $48,000 at the OBS August yearling sale

before RNA'ing at the 2004 OBS March two-year-old sale. He's out of the unraced

Cloud Break (Dr. Carter), who is also the dam of the stakes-placed How About My

Place (Out of Place) and a daughter of 1981 Hempstead H. (G2) queen Wistful (Maribeau).

She's a half-sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Luminaire and closely related to

Grade 1 winners Bonapaw and Listening.

Lost in the Fog is being freshened for a four-year-old campaign in 2006.

Stevie Wonderboy won the Eclipse by an overwhelming margin  (Benoit Photos) Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner STEVIE WONDERBOY (Stephen Got Even) garnered champion two-year-old male honors. Owned by Merv Griffin, Stevie Wonderboy finished second in his career bow and third in second start, the Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. (G3), before breaking through with an easy maiden special weight score. He followed up with a stirring five-length triumph in the Del Mar Futurity (G2) -- dusting opponents with a sweeping rally on the far turn to emerge in front -- and trained up to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile off a 7 1/2-week rest for Doug O'Neill. The chestnut colt rated near the back of the pack with jockey Garrett Gomez down the backstretch of the Juvenile at Belmont Park and kicked it into gear on the far turn, exploding past rivals with his dynamic turn of foot to reach contention in upper stretch. Stevie Wonderboy still had to overhaul an extremely game Henny Hughes (Hennessy) in the final eighth of a mile, and he determinedly wore down his classy foe for the 1 1/4-length decision. Bred in Kentucky by John Gunther, Tony Holmes and Walter Zent, Stevie Wonderboy RNA'ed at the 2004 Keeneland September sale and was purchased for $100,000 at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton February two-year-old sale. His dam, Heat Lightning (Summer Squall), is out of the Grade 3-winning and multiple Grade 1-placed Mystery Mood (Roberto) and is a half-sister to multiple Grade/Group 2 winner Fair Judgment. Stevie Wonderboy earned more than $1 million last year from his 5-3-1-1 record and entered 2006 as the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) princess

FOLKLORE (Tiznow) took home

champion two-year-old filly honors. The Bob and Beverly Lewis homebred finished

either first or second in all seven starts in 2005, including a 14-length

spanking in the Matron S. (G1) and a victory at Saratoga in the Adirondack S.

(G2). She finished a close second in both the Spinaway S. (G2) and Astarita S.

and earned nearly $1 million last season.

In the Juvenile Fillies, the bay miss shot right to the lead after the break

but was content to give up the advantage on the backstretch while being

patiently handled by Edgar Prado. Folklore reasserted herself to the lead on the

far turn and surged for home, easily holding off all challengers through the

stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The seventh two-year-old filly champion trained

by D. Wayne Lukas, the Kentucky-bred Folklore is the first foal out of the unraced

Contrive (Storm Cat), who is a daughter of multiple Grade 3 winner Jeano (Fappiano).

Contrive's granddam is 1985 Delaware H. (G1) heroine Basie (In Reality), who is

a half-sister to Don't Worry About Me (Foolish Pleasure), the maternal granddam

of Smarty Jones.

Michael Moran's

MCDYNAMO

(Dynaformer) was honored with his second Eclipse Award as champion

steeplechaser, following his earlier title in 2003. Third in the Royal Chase for

the Sport of Kings (G1) at Keeneland in his seasonal reappearance, the Sanna

Hendriks charge finished second in his next three outings, the Iroquois Hurdle

(G1), David L. "Zeke" Ferguson Memorial Steeplechase S. (G1) and Somerset

Medical Center Steeplechase Race for Cancer Awareness S. (G2) before wrapping up

his year in tremendous style with a Grade 1 double. McDynamo captured the

Breeders' Cup Steeplechase S. (G1) for an unprecedented third straight year,

seizing the initiative early, widening his margin in the course of the race and

sailing home nine lengths in the clear. The eight-year-old followed that effort

with a game front-running win in the Colonial Cup S. (G1). After brushing aside

an early challenger, he was confronted by 2004 champion steeplechaser Hirapour

(Ire) (Kahyasi) in the stretch but dug deep to secure a 1 1/2-length score.

Bred in Kentucky by Richard Fox, Nathan Fox and Richard Kaster, McDynamo was

sold to Moran for $82,000 at the 1998 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Produced by the unraced Rondonia (Monteverdi [Ire]), he is a full brother to

1995 Generous S. (G3) winner Old Chapel. McDynamo's 2005 mark reads 6-2-3-1 with

$265,425 in earnings.

In the human categories, Todd Pletcher parlayed a record year of more than

$20.8 million in earnings into his second consecutive Eclipse Award for leading

trainer. Represented by stable stars like Ashado, Flower Alley (Pulpit), Bandini

(Fusaichi Pegasus) and Adieu (El Corredor), Pletcher counted the Travers S.

(G1), Cigar Mile H. (G1), Blue Grass S. (G1), Carter H. (G1) and many other big

races among his numerous accomplishments in 2005. He racked up 256 wins from

1,034 starts, a 24 percent success rate. His stable earned $17.5 million and won

240 races in 2004.

A native of Dallas, Texas, and the son of veteran trainer J.J. Pletcher, the

38-year-old grew up around horses and worked for Charlie Whittingham and Henry

Moreno while at the University of Arizona. He was hired as an assistant by D.

Wayne Lukas upon graduation and served seven years for the Hall of Famer,

opening a public stable in December, 1995, and saddling his first starter in

1996. Pletcher won three Grade 1 races with Jersey Girl in 1997 and trained his

first champion, leading older male Left Bank, in 2002. In 2004, he won his first

two Breeders' Cup races with eventual champions Ashado and Speightstown.

Pletcher was the leading trainer for the fourth consecutive year at Saratoga

in 2005, captured his second straight title at Gulfstream Park and his first

ever at Keeneland during the Spring Meet.

John Velazquez, who has teamed with Pletcher to win races in bunches over the

past few seasons, established a new single-season record with more than $20.7

million in earnings in 2005 and notched his second straight Eclipse Award for

leading jockey. He was the regular rider for champions Leroidesanimaux and

Ashado last year and guided Grade 1 winners Flower Alley, Adieu, Happy Ticket (Anet),

Sand Springs, and Luas Line (Ire) (Danehill).

The 34-year-old won 250 races from 1,142 starts (21 percent win rate).

A native of Puerto Rico, Velazquez moved his tack to New York in the 1990

under the guidance of his mentor and agent, Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero

Jr.

Emma-Jayne Wilson was named champion apprentice jockey. The 24-year-old

Ontario native led all North American apprentices in wins and earnings and

became the first woman in the 50-year history of Woodbine to be leading rider,

winning 175 races at the Toronto oval. Her biggest mounts in 2005 included

Classic Stamp (Regal Classic) and Our Madison (Tactical Cat).

Michael Gill, whose charges won 349 races and earned more than $6.3 million

in 2005, took home the Eclipse Award for outstanding owner. One of the nation's

leading owners by wins since 2000, the mortgage banking mogul was exposed to

Thoroughbred racing at Rockingham Park and has been a big supporter of the sport

for many years. His stable has been known for its aggressive claiming style and

placing horses where they can win.

Frank Stronach's Adena Springs earned its second straight and third overall

Eclipse Award for outstanding breeder. With breeding and stallion operations in

Kentucky, Florida and Ontario, Adena Springs-bred horses won 457 races from

2,685 starts and topped the list of leading individual breeders in North America

in 2005 with earnings of more than $11.6 million. Four Eclipse Award finalists

in 2005 were conceived by Adena Springs stallions.

The year-end championship honors are named after the great 18th century

racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who was undefeated in 18 starts.