Superstar mare Royal Delta easily dominated the older female division and notched her third straight Eclipse Award by virtue of three impressive graded stakes victories last year, two of which were grade I.
Trained in 2013 by Hall of Famer Bill Mott for Besilu Stables, Royal Delta launched her championship campaign with a five-length score in the Sabin Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park. She then finished second in the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs following a freshening from an unplaced effort in Dubai.
While prepping for a third Breeders' Cup—she won the Ladies' Classic (gr. I) in 2011 and 2012—the Empire Maker mare scored back-to-back victories in the Delaware Handicap (gr. I), and Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I). In Royal Delta's final two starts of the season, she ran second and fourth, respectively, in the Beldame Invitational Stakes (gr. I) and Breeders' Cup Distaff.
Now retired, the three-time champion is scheduled to be bred to top European sire Galileo (IRE) for 2014. Bred by Palides Investments out of the graded stakes-winning A.P. Indy mare Delta Princess, she compiled a career record of 12-5-1 from 22 starts and earnings of $4,811,126.
The votes below represent only first-place votes from members of the consolidated voting entities, NTRA, Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers And Broadcasters:
Royal Delta, 234; Dank, 5; Joyful Victory, 3; Tiz Miz Sue, 2; Dance to Bristol, 1; Laughing,1; Brandy's Secret, 1. Voter Abstention, 1. No Vote, 1.
