South American-bred Invasor, who defeated favorite Bernardini in the Breeders Cup Classic on November 4, 2006, was named Horse of the Year during the Eclispe Awards ceremony on Monday, in Beverly Hills. Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who broke down in the Preakness Stakes consequently won by Bernardini, was acknowledged with a special award presented to his owners and the medical team at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, where Barbaro is still being treated.
For the first time in the 36-year history of the Eclipse Awards, the champion owner title was presented to owners of two individuals: Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables, owners of Barbaro, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s Darby Stable, owner of Bernardini, who was also named champion 3-year-old colt.
Invasor, who won three G1 stakes races from four starts in 2006, is owned by Sheikh Hamden al Maktoum’s Shadwell Stable. Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamden are brothers from Dubai’s ruling family and have been leading buyers at Kentucky’s thoroughbred sales for the past decade. During last year’s Keeneland Yearling Sale, Sheikh Mohammed paid a record $11.7 million for a Kingmambo colt, breaking his own record of $9.7 million paid for a colt the previous year.
Edgar Prado, who rode Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, was named champion jockey. Prado has been hailed for his quick action to steady Barbaro after his fall, in an effort to prevent further injury. Prado ranked second in 2006 purse earnings, with $19.8 million, behind Garrett Gomez, with $21.9 million.
2006 Eclipse Award Winners
- Horse of the Year – Invasor, by Candy Stripes
- Older Horse – Invasor, by Candy Stripes
- 2-Year-Old Male – Street Sense, by Street Cry
- 2-Year-Old Female – Dreaming of Anna, by Rahy
- 3-Year-Old Male – Bernardini, by A.P. Indy
- 3-Year-Old Female – Wait a While, by Maria’s Mon
- Older Female – Fleet Indian, by Indian Charlie
- Turf Male – Miesque’s Approval, by Miesque’s Son
- Turf Female – Ouija Board (GB), by Cape Cross
- Sprinter – Thor’s Echo, by Swiss Yodeler
- Steeplechase – McDynamo, by Dynaformer
- Owner – Darley Stable and Lael Stables (tie)
- Breeder – Adena Springs
- Trainer – Todd Pletcher
- Jockey – Edgar Prado
- Apprentice Jockey – Julien Leparoux