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Important Races

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  American Horse of the Year
graphic

1887 - Present
There were no championships awarded in any official manner until 1936, when Triangle Publications (publishers of Daily Racing Form and Morning Telegraph) conducted a poll of its staff, and Turf and Sports Digest conducted a poll from selected sports journalists. In 1950, these were joined by the votes of racing secretaries across the country, from tracks that were members of the Thoroughbred Racing Association. In 1954, the Thoroughbred Record instituted a scoring system based on points for stakes wins. In 1971, the Eclipse Awards were introduced, voted on by members of the National Turf Writers Association, as well as racing secretaries and some Daily Racing Form and Equibase staff.

Nineteenth Century
Year Horse Statistics Sire - Dam - Dam's Sire Family No.
1887 Hanover(3) ch.c. 1884 Hindoo - Bourbon Belle by *Bonnie Scotland 21
1888 Emperor of Norfolk (3) b.c. 1885 Norfolk - Marian by Malcolm A17
1889 Salvator(3) ch.c. 1886 *Prince Charlie - Salina by Lexington 12-b
1890 Salvator(4) ch.c. 1886 *Prince Charlie - Salina by Lexington 12-b
1891 Longstreet(5) b.c. 1886 Longfellow - Semper Idem by *Glen Athol 12-b
1892 Tammany(3) ch.c. 1889 Iroquois - Tullahoma by *Great Tom 12-b
1893 Domino(2) br.c. 1891 Himyar - Mannie Gray by Enquirer 23-b
1894 Henry of Navarre (3) ch.c. 1891 Knight of Ellerslie - Moss Rose by *The Ill-Used 20
1895 Henry of Navarre (4) ch.c. 1891 Knight of Ellerslie - Moss Rose by *The Ill-Used 20
1896 Requital(3) b.c. 1893 *Eothen - Retribution by Reform 3-i
1897 Ornament(3) ch.c. 1894 *Order - Victorine by Onondaga 12-b
1898 Hamburg(3) b.c. 1895 Hanover - Lady Reel by Fellowcraft 23-b
1899 Imp(f) (5) blk.m. 1894 *Wagner - Fondling by Fonso 4-r

Twentieth Century
Year Horse Statistics Sire - Dam - Dam's Sire Family No.
1900 Commando(2) b.c. 1898 Domino - Emma C. by *Darebin 12-b
1901 Commando(3) b.c. 1898 Domino - Emma C. by *Darebin 12-b
1902 Hermis(3) ch.c. 1899 *Hermence - Katy of the West by Spendthrift A2
1903 Hermis(4) ch.c. 1899 *Hermence - Katy of the West by Spendthrif A2
1904 Beldame(f) (3) ch.f. 1901 Octagon - *Bella-Donna by Hermit 10-c
1905 Sysonby(3) b.c. 1902 Melton(GB) - *Optime (GB) by Orme 9-h
1906 Burgomaster(3) br.c. 1903 Hamburg - Hurly Burly by Riley 2-h
1907 Colin(2) br.c. 1905 Commando - *Pastorella by Springfield 19-b
1908 Colin(3) br.c. 1905 Commando - *Pastorella by Springfield 19-b
1909 Fitz Herbert (3) b.c. 1906 Ethelbert - Morganatic by Emperor 4-r
1910 Fitz Herbert (4) b.c. 1906 Ethelbert - Morganatic by Emperor 4-r
1911 Meridian(3) b.c. 1908 Broomstick - Sue Smith by *Masetto 20
1912 The Manager (5) ch.c. 1909 *Voter - Bracegirdle by Fonso A1
1913 Whisk Broom II (4) ch.c. 1907 Broomstick - Audience by Sir Dixon 4-m
1914 Roamer(3) b.g. 1911 Knight Errant - *Rose Tree II by Bona Vista 18a
1915 Regret(3) ch. f. 1912 Broomstick - Jersey Lightning by Hamburg A1
1916 Friar Rock (3) ch.c. 1913 *Rock Sand - *Fairy Gold by Bend Or 9-e
1917 Old Rosebud (6) b. g. 1911 Uncle - Ivory Bells by Himyar 6-a
1918 *Johren(3) b.c. 1915 Spearmint - Mineola by *Meddler 2-h
1919 Sir Barton (3) ch.c. 1916 *Star Shoot - Lady Sterling by Hanover 9-g
1920 Man O'War (3) ch.c. 1917 Fair Play - Mahubah by *Rock Sand 4-c
1921 Grey Lag (3) ch.c. 1918 *Star Shoot - Miss Minnie by *Meddler 13-b
1922 Exterminator(7) ch.g. 1915 *McGee - Fair Empress by Jim Gore A1
1923 Zev(3) br.c. 1920 The Finn - Miss Kearney by *Planudes 23-b
1924 Sarazen(3) ch.g. 1921 High Time - Rush Box by Box 20
1925 Sarazen(4) ch.g. 1921 High Time - Rush Box by Box 20
1926 Crusader(3) ch.c. 1923 Man o' War - Star Fancy by *Star Shoot 4-m
1927 Chance Play (4) ch.c. 1923 Fair Play - *Quelle Chance by Ethelbert 3-c
1928 Reigh Count (3) ch.c. 1925 *Sunreigh - *Contessina by Count Schomberg 2-e
1929 Blue Larkspur (3) b.c. 1926 Black Servant - Blossom Time by *North Star III 8-f
1930 Gallant Fox (3) b.c. 1927 *Sir Gallahad III - Marguerite by Celt 4-n
1931 Twenty Grand (3) b.c. 1928 *St. Germans - Bonus by *All Gold 5-g
1932 Equipoise(4) ch.c. 1928 Pennant - Swinging by Broomstick 5-j
1933 Equipoise(5) ch.c. 1928 Pennant - Swinging by Broomstick 5-j
1934 Cavalcade(3) br.c. 1931 *Lancegaye - *Hastily by Hurry On 12-g
1935 Discovery(4) ch.c. 1931 Display - Ariadne by *Light Brigade 23-b
1936 Granville(3) b.c. 1933 Gallant Fox - Gravita by Sarmatian 2-e
1937 War Admiral (3) br.c. 1934 Man O'War - Brushup by Sweep 11-g
1938 Seabiscuit(5) b.c. 1933 Hard Tack - Swing On by Whisk Broom II 5-j
1939 Challedon(3) b.c. 1936 *Challenger II - Laura Gal by *Sir Gallahad III 12-c
1940 Challedon(4) b.c. 1936 *Challenger II - Laura Gal by *Sir Gallahad III 12-c
1941 Whirlaway(3) ch.c. 1938 *Blenheim II - Dustwhirl by Sweep 8-h
1942 Whirlaway(4) ch.c. 1938 *Blenheim II - Dustwhirl by Sweep 8-h
1943 Count Fleet (3) br.c. 1940 Reigh Count - Quickly by Haste 6-a
1944 Twilight Tear (f) (3) b.f. 1941 Bull Lea - Lady Lark by Blue Larkspur 23-b
1945 Busher(3) ch.f. 1942 War Admiral - Baby League by Bubbling Over 1-s
1945 Assault(3) ch.c. 1942 Bold Venture - Igual by Equipoise 4-c
1947 Armed(6) br.g. 1941 Bull Lea - Armful by Chance Shot 3-o
1948 Citation(3) b.c. 1945 Bull Lea - *Hydroplane II by Hyperion 3-l
1949 Capot(3) br.c. 1946 Menow - Piquet by *St. Germans 5-f
" Coaltown(4) br.c. 1945 Bull Lea - Easy Lass by *Blenheim II 7-e
1950 Hill Prince (3) b.c. 1947 *Princequillo - Hildene by Bubbling Over 9-b
1951 Counterpoint(3) ch.c. 1948 Count Fleet - Jabot by *Sickle A1
1952 One Count (3) br.c. 1949 Count Fleet - Ace Card by Case Ace 25
" Native Dancer (2) gr.c. 1950 Polynesian - Geisha by Discovery 5-f
1953 Tom Fool (4) b.c. 1949 Menow - Gaga by *Bull Dog 3-j
1954 Native Dancer (4) gr.c. 1950 Polynesian - Geisha by Discovery 5-f
1955 Nashua(3) b.c. 1952 *Nasrullah - Segula by Johnstown 3-m
1956 Swaps(4) ch.c. 1952 *Khaled - Iron Reward by *Beau Pere A4
1957 Bold Ruler (3) dk.b.c. 1954 *Nasrullah - Miss Disco by Discovery 8-d
" Dedicate(5) b.c. 1952 *Princequillo - Dini by John P. Grier 23-b
1958 Round Table (4) b.c. 1954 *Princequillo - *Knight's Daughter by Sir Cosmo 2-f
1959 Sword Dancer (3) ch.c. 1956 Sunglow - Highland Fling by By Jimmingy 1-o
1960 Kelso(3) dkb/br.g. 1957 Your Host - Maid of Flight by Count Fleet 20
1961 Kelso(4) dkb/br.g. 1957 Your Host - Maid of Flight by Count Fleet 20
1962 Kelso(5) dkb/br.g. 1957 Your Host - Maid of Flight by Count Fleet 20
1963 Kelso(6) dkb/br.g. 1957 Your Host - Maid of Flight by Count Fleet 20
1964 Kelso(7) dkb/br.g. 1957 Your Host - Maid of Flight by Count Fleet 20
1965 Moccasin (2) ch.f. 1963 Nantallah; - Rough Shod by Gold Bridge 5 - h
" Roman Brother (4) b.g. 1961 Third Brother - Roman Zephyr by Roman 16 - a
1966 Buckpasser(3) b.c. 1963 Tom Fool - Busanda by War Admiral 1-s
1967 Damascus(3) b.c. 1964 Sword Dancer - Kerala by *My Babu 8-h
1968 Dr. Fager (4) b.c. 1964 Rough'n Tumble - Aspidistra by Better Self 1-r
1969 Arts and Letters (3) ch.c. 1966 *Ribot - All Beautiful by Battlefield 1-c
1970 Fort Marcy (6) b.g. 1964 *Amerigo - Key Bridge by *Princequillo 2-n
" Personality(3) b.c. 1968 Hail to Reason - Affectionately by Swaps 1-s
1971 Ack Ack (5) b.c. 1966 Battle Joined - Fast Turn by Turn-to 9-h
1972 Secretariat(2) ch.c. 1970 Bold Ruler - Somethingroyal by *Princequillo 2-s
1973 Secretariat(3) ch.c. 1970 Bold Ruler - Somethingroyal by *Princequillo 2-s
1974 Forego(4) b.g. 1970 *Forli(ARG) - Lady Golconda by Hasty Road 9-f
1975 Forego(5) b.g. 1970 *Forli(ARG) - Lady Golconda by Hasty Road 9-f
1976 Forego(6) b.g. 1970 *Forli(ARG) - Lady Golconda by Hasty Road 9-f
1977 Seattle Slew (3) dkb/br.c. 1974 Bold Reasoning - My Charmer by Poker 13-c
1978 Affirmed(3) ch.c. 1975 Exclusive Native - Won't Tell You by Crafty Admiral 23-b
1979 Affirmed(4) ch.c. 1975 Exclusive Native - Won't Tell You by Crafty Admiral 23-b
1980 Spectacular Bid (4) gr.c. 1976 Bold Bidder - Spectacular by Promised Land 2-d
1981 John Henry (6) b.g. 1975 Ole Bob Bowers - Once Double by Double Jay 8-c
1982 Conquistador Cielo (3) b.c. 1979 Mr. Prospector - K D Princess by Bold Commander 8-h
1983 All Along (FR) (4) b.f. 1979 Targowice - Agujita by Vieux Manoir 1-d
1984 John Henry (9) b.g. 1975 Ole Bob Bowers - Once Double by Double Jay 8-c
1985 Spend a Buck (3) b.c. 1982 Buckaroo - Belle de Jour by Speak John 1-s
1986 Lady's Secret (4) gr.f. 1982 Secretariat - Great Lady M. by Icecapade 22-d
1987 Ferdinand(4) ch.c.1983 Nijinsky II - Banja Luka by Double Jay 13-c
1988 Alysheba(4) b.c. 1984 Alydar - Bel Sheba by Lt. Stevens 20
1989 Sunday Silence (3) dkb/br.c. 1986 Halo - Wishing Well by Understanding 3-e
1990 Criminal Type (5) ch.c. 1985 Alydar - Klepto by No Robbery 23-b
1991 Black Tie Affair (IRE) (5) gr.c. 1986 Miswaki - Hat Tab Girl by Al Hattab 9-e
1992 A.P. Indy (3) dkb/br.c. 1989 Seattle Slew - Weekend Surprise by Secretariat 3-l
1993 Kotashaan(FR) (5) dkb/br.c. 1988 Darshaan(GB) - Haute Autorite by Elocutionist 19-a
1994 Holy Bull (3) gr/ro.c. 1991 Great Above - Sharon Brown by Al Hattab 16-g
1995 Cigar(5) b.c. 1990 Palace Music - Solar Slew by Seattle Slew 2-g
1996 Cigar(6) b.c. 1990 Palace Music - Solar Slew by Seattle Slew 2-g
1997 Favorite Trick (2) dkb/br.c. 1995 Phone Trick - Evil Elaine by Medieval Man 9-e
1998 Skip Away (5) gr/ro c. 1993 Skip Trial - Ingot Way by Diplomat Way 14-f
1999 Charismatic(3) ch.c. 1996 Summer Squall - Bali Babe by Drone 10-a

Twenty-first Century
Year Horse Statistics Sire - Dam - Dam's Sire Family No.
2000 Tiznow(3) dkb/br.c. 1997 Cee's Tizzy - Cee's Song by Seattle Song 26
2001 Point Given (3) ch.c. 1998 Thunder Gulch - Turko's Turn by Turkoman 2-n
2002 Azeri (4) ch.f. 1998 Jade Hunter - Zodiac Miss (AUS) by Ahonoora (GB) 1 - l
2003 Mineshaft (4) dkb/br.c. 1999 A.P. Indy - Prospectors Delite by Mr. Prospector 1 - s
2004 Ghostzapper (4) b.c. 2000 Awesome Again - Baby Zip by Relaunch 23 - b
2005 Saint Liam (5) b.c.. 2000 Saint Ballado - Quiet Dance by Quiet American 17 - b
2006 Invasor (ARG) (4) b.c. 2002 Candy Stripes - Quendom (ARG) by Interprete (ARG) 14 - c
2007 Curlin (USA) (3) ch.c. 2004 Smart Strike (CAN) - Sheriff's Deputy (USA) by Deputy Minister (USA) 19 - c
2008 Curlin (USA) (4) ch.c. 2004 Smart Strike (CAN) - Sheriff's Deputy (USA) by Deputy Minister (USA) 19 - c
2009 Rachel Alexandra (USA) (3) b.f. 2006 Medaglia d'Oro (USA) - Lotta Kim (USA) by Roar (USA) 1 - o
2010 Zenyatta (USA) (6) dkb/br.f. 2004 Street Cry (USA) - Vertigineux by Kris. S. 4 - r
2011 Havre de Grace (USA) (4) b.f. 2007 Saint Liam (USA) - Easter Bunnette (USA) by Carson City (USA) 3 - l




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