Yesterday, 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin joined the hallowed ranks of Secretariat, Affirmed, John Henry, Forego and Cigar, as a two-time recipient of the Eclipse Horse of the Year Award. He was the first horse since Cigar (1995-1996) to win in consecutive years.

Trained by Steve Asmussen for Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables, 4-year-old Curlin, by Smart Strike, capped 2008 with five victories, including the Dubai World Cup; Stephen Foster Handicap G1; Woodward Stakes G1; and Jockey Club Gold Cup G1. With his Gold Cup win, Curlin surpassed Cigar’s previous North American earnings record with $10,501,800.

Curlin was also named 2008 Older Male of the Year, while Asmussen won an Eclipse Award as champion trainer.

Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown was named Champion 3-Year-Old, while unbeaten Zenyatta, second in votes (153 to 69) to Curlin for Horse of the Year, was made Champion Older Female.

Winners of the awards were announced Monday night, January 26, at the 38th annual Eclipse Award banquet in Miami Beach. They were determined by the collective votes of the Daily Racing Form, the National Turf Writers, Association, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. A total of 242 ballots were cast.

Other category winners included: Midshipman, Champion 2-Year-Old Male; Starbound, Champion 2-Year-Old Filly; Proud Spell, Champion 3-Year-Old Filly; Conduit, Champion Male Turf Horse; Forever Together, Champion Female Turf Horse; Indian Blessing, Champion Female Sprinter; Benny the Bull, Champion Male Sprinter; Good Night Shirt, Champion Steeplechase Horse; Garrett Gomez, Champion Jockey; Frank Stronach, Champion Owner; Adena Springs (owned by Stronach), Champion Breeder.