Horse of the Year
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Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding.
In 1936, the American Daily Racing Form (DRF) began choosing a Horse of the Year. In 1950, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America (TRA) inaugurated its own Horse of the Year award. During the 21 years these two awards coexisted, the groups differed in their selection only four times. Finally, in 1971, the DRF and TRA got together with the National Turf Writers Association and created one set of awards called the Eclipse Awards. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association replaced the TRA as a sponsor in 1998.
Kelso, who placed 4th in the Blood-Horse magazine ranking of the top 100 thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century, won Horse of the Year honors five consecutive years. Omaha is the only Triple Crown winner not to be voted Horse of the Year.
- 1887 - Hanover
- 1888 - Emperor of Norfolk
- 1889 - Salvator
- 1890 - Salvator
- 1891 - Longstreet
- 1892 - Tammany
- 1893 - Domino
- 1894 - Henry of Navarre
- 1895 - Henry of Navarre
- 1896 - Requital
- 1897 - Ornament
- 1898 - Hamburg
- 1899 - Imp
- 1900 - Commando
- 1901 - Commando
- 1902 - Hermis
- 1903 - Hermis
- 1904 - Beldame
- 1905 - Sysonby
- 1906 - Burgomaster
- 1907 - Colin
- 1908 - Colin
- 1909 - Fitz Herbert
- 1910 - Fitz Herbert
- 1911 - Meridian
- 1912 - The Manager
- 1913 - Whisk Broom II
- 1914 - Roamer
- 1915 - Regret
- 1916 - Friar Rock
- 1917 - Omar Khayyam
- 1918 - Johren
- 1919 - Sir Barton
- 1920 - Man O' War
- 1921 - Grey Lag
- 1922 - Exterminator
- 1923 - Zev
- 1924 - Sarazen
- 1925 - Sarazen
- 1926 - Crusder
- 1927 - Chance Play
- 1928 - Reigh Count
- 1929 - Blue Larkspur
- 1930 - Gallant Fox
- 1931 - Twenty Grand
- 1932 - Equipoise
- 1933 - Equipoise
- 1934 - Calvacade
- 1935 - Discovery
- 1936 - Granville
- 1937 - War Admiral
- 1938 - Seabiscuit
- 1939 - Challedon
- 1940 - Challedon
- 1941 - Whirlaway
- 1942 - Whirlaway
- 1943 - Count Fleet
- 1944 - Twilight Tear
- 1945 - Busher
- 1946 - Assault
- 1947 - Armed
- 1948 - Citation
- 1949 - Coaltown
- 1950 - Hill Prince
- 1951 - Counterpoint
- 1952 - One Count
- 1953 - Tom Fool
- 1954 - Native Dancer
- 1955 - Nashua
- 1956 - Swaps
- 1957 - Bold Ruler
- 1958 - Round Table
- 1959 - Sword Dancer
- 1960 - Kelso
- 1961 - Kelso
- 1962 - Kelso
- 1963 - Kelso
- 1964 - Kelso
- 1965 - Moccasin & Roman Brother
- 1966 - Buckpasser
- 1967 - Damascus
- 1968 - Dr. Fager
- 1969 - Arts and Letters
- 1970 - Personality & Fort Marcy
- 1971 - Ack Ack
- 1972 - Secretariat
- 1973 - Secretariat
- 1974 - Forego
- 1975 - Forego
- 1976 - Forego
- 1977 - Seattle Slew
- 1978 - Affirmed
- 1979 - Affirmed
- 1980 - Spectacular Bid
- 1981 - John Henry
- 1982 - Conquistador Cielo
- 1983 - All Along
- 1984 - John Henry
- 1985 - Spend A Buck
- 1986 - Lady's Secret
- 1987 - Ferdinand
- 1988 - Alysheba
- 1989 - Sunday Silence
- 1990 - Criminal Type
- 1991 - Black Tie Affair
- 1992 - A.P. Indy
- 1993 - Kotashaan
- 1994 - Holy Bull
- 1995 - Cigar
- 1996 - Cigar
- 1997 - Favorite Trick
- 1998 - Skip Away
- 1999 - Charismatic
- 2000 - Tiznow
- 2001 - Point Given
- 2002 - Azeri
- 2003 - Mineshaft
- 2004 - Ghostzapper