Rice Returns as Eclipse Awards Host

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Photo: ESPN

Kenny Rice

Edited press release

For the second consecutive year, announcer Kenny Rice will host the 38th annual Eclipse Awards on Monday evening Jan. 26 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.
 
The Eclipse Awards are presented by the NTRA, National Turf Writers Association, and Daily Racing Form. Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon 17 horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in 2008 have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. The Eclipse Awards will be televised live by TVG, beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

“It’s a great honor to host again this terrific night crowing the champions of Thoroughbred racing,” said Rice, of Lexington. “There are very few sports awards that follow you for the rest of your life. If you win an Eclipse Award you’re forever identified as having reached the pinnacle of your sport and your profession.”

Rice has contributed reports and interviews to NBC Sports’ Thoroughbred racing coverage since 1999, including the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. He has also appeared on a variety of horse racing shows on the ESPN family of networks, serving as both host and reporter on various Breeders’ Cup and “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series. From 1980-99, Rice was the sports director at WTVQ-TV in Lexington, and in 1996, he won a Media Eclipse Award for outstanding local TV coverage of Thoroughbred racing. That same year, he was also presented with the Charles W. Engelhard Award by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association for lifetime achievement in reporting on Thoroughbred racing and breeding.

In addition to his Thoroughbred racing pursuits, Kenny provided the play by play for the 2008 Equestrian competition for the Beijing Olympics. In 2006, he co-hosted the telecast of the World Equestrian Games.

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