Keeneland congratulates the equine champions and outstanding horsemen in Thoroughbred racing during 2023 who were honored tonight at the 53rd annual Eclipse Awards Ceremony at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida. Many have a Keeneland connection either through auctions or races. 

Keeneland joined John Deere, FanDuel and The Jockey Club as presenting sponsors of the ceremony. 

Eclipse Awards winners were selected by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.  

Three alumni of Keeneland’s prestigious September Yearling Sale were named champions. Those horses and their 2023 graded stakes victories are: 

Arcangelo (Three-Year-Old Male): Don Alberto Corporation bred the winner of the Belmont (G1) Presented by NYRA Bets, the Travers (G1) and the Peter Pan (G3). Consigned by Gainesway, agent, the Arrogate colt sold to Jon Ebbert of owner Blue Rose Farm for $35,000 at the 2021 September Sale. 

Elite Power (Male Sprinter): Owner Juddmonte purchased Elite Power, who won the Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1), the True North (G2) and the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) Presented by Sports Boulevard, for $900,000 at the 2019 September Sale from Lane’s End, agent. Alpha Delta Stables bred the son of Curlin. 

Up to the Mark (Male Turf Horse): At the 2020 September Sale, West Bloodstock, agent for Mike Repole’s Repole Stable and Vincent Viola’s St. Elias Stable, paid $450,000 for the winner of the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland, the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) and the Resorts World Casino Manhattan (G1). Bred by Ramspring Farm, the son of Not This Time was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. 

In addition, two newly crowned champions captured 2023 stakes at Keeneland: 

Goodnight Olive (Female Sprinter) won the Madison (G1) during the Spring Meet. 

Idiomatic (Older Dirt Female) won the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) during the Fall Meet. 

These winners of Eclipse Awards as outstanding horsemen are active at Keeneland: 

Godolphin (Owner and Breeder) was the leading owner during the 2023 Spring Meet with six wins and the co-leading owner of the year’s Fall Meet with four victories. Godolphin’s Spring Meet stakes wins were the Stonestreet Lexington (G3) and the Baird Doubledogdare (G3). Fall Meet stakes wins were the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana and the Sycamore (G3). 

Irad Ortiz Jr. (Jockey) won 18 races at Keeneland in 2023. He took the Jenny Wiley (G1), the Madison (G1) and the Giant’s Causeway (L) during the Spring Meet.  

Bill Mott (Trainer) won five races at Keeneland last year, including the Bewitch (G3) and the Baird Doubledogdare (G3) both during the Spring Meet.