English Channel has had the look of a champion since June 9 when he lost by only a head to 2004 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Better Talk Now in the Manhattan Handicap (gr. I). He started in four more grade I races after that and won three of them -- his last, a seven-length romp in the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT).
That last victory earned him the Eclipse Award for 2007 turf male champion on Jan. 21. The son of Smart Strike, out of Belva (by Theatrical), received 251 first-place votes out of total of 266 votes.
English Channel retired with $5,319,028 in career earnings and enters stud this year at Hurricane Hall, where he will stand for $25,000.
