Eclipse Award Criteria (Horse of the Year)

[Terlingua]

Does anyone know where I could find the criteria for choosing Horse of the Year on the web?

[TJ]

Does anyone know where I could find the criteria for choosing Horse of the Year on the web?

Hi T,
There really isn't a criteria for choosing horse of the year. In 1971 it became the eclipse awards as we know them today....before that tha TRA and DRF each gave out there own year end honors. In 1971 the National Turf Writers Assoc. got together with the TRA (TB Racing Assoc. of NA) and the DRF (Daily Racing Form) to form a panel of "experts" to vote on each horse in each category for the Eclipse Awards. Since then the TRA was replaced by the NTRA (National TB Racing Assoc.).It is the cumulitive opinions of these experts' votes that choose who will and will not win an Eclipse Award.....each having there own opinion as to who is best. Here's an interesting article concerning one of the voter's and could help explain your question. TJ
http://www.nola.com/horseracing/index.s ... ear_v.html

[docjocoy]

I'd be very surprised if there was anything substantial written down. It's a very subjective and often provincial vote. There may be guidelines in the ballot when they are sent out, but as far as criteria, or anything objective except perhaps that the horse has to have started in the U.S, I would be shocked if anything like that existed. Substantial criteria would take away from the way a voter felt about the horse he/she voted for. If there were substantial criteria for a vote, we wouldn't have the extreme debates over the outcome. There would never be exceptions. It might be peaceful, but boring.

[wangkw]

Lol...there isnt any model answer sheet....save for guidelines ..with lot of flexibility though..human factor..politics....muscle..voice...power..etc etc.