TVG will broadcast exclusive live coverage of the 39th annual Eclipse Awards from the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 18. Headlining this year’s Eclipse Awards will be the presentation of Horse of the Year to Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra.
“We just witnessed one of the most memorable years in horse racing history, and while they’ve never met on the track, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta find themselves in a match race for Horse of the Year honors,” said Gerard Cunningham, president of Betfair US, owner and operator of TVG. “It’s a virtual dead heat for racing’s top honor and no matter what the outcome, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta can certainly stake their claim as queen of the Sport of Kings.”
TVG’s broadcast of the Eclipse Awards will begin at 7 p.m. (EST) with red carpet coverage hosted by TVG’s Todd Schrupp, Simon Bray and Greg Wolf. The awards presentations will begin at 8 p.m. (EST) and will be hosted by Kenny Rice. The Eclipse Awards ceremony will conclude with the presentation of Horse of the Year.
The Eclipse Awards are presented by the NTRA, the National Turf Writers Association and Daily Racing Form. In total, horses and humans will be recognized in 17 categories.
“The announcement of 2009 Horse of the Year is among the most highly anticipated moments in the 39-year history of the Eclipse Awards,” said NTRA senior vice president Keith Chamblin. “We are delighted that TVG will once again be broadcasting the entire Eclipse Awards show to a world-wide television audience.”
