TVG to Present Live Coverage of Eclipse Awards

Edited release from TVG
TVG will break new ground when it presents a live telecast of the 34th annual Eclipse Awards, Monday, Jan. 24 from 6-10 p.m. PT. The network's telecast, from the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, marks the first time horseracing's "Oscars" will be presented live on TV.

"Becoming the first network to telecast the Eclipse Awards live marks a great milestone for TVG," said network president Ryan O'Hara. "The Eclipse Awards represent the best in horseracing, and we are thrilled to be able to share the festivities with our viewers."

"We look forward to partnering with TVG on the first-ever live telecast of the Eclipse Awards," said NTRA commissioner D.G. Van Clief, Jr. "As a network that's dedicated to horseracing, TVG is a natural outlet for this annual horseracing extravaganza."

The Eclipse Awards show is produced by the NTRA, a portion of whose membership votes on them, along with representatives from the National Turf Writers Association and Daily Racing Form. The Eclipse Awards were first presented in 1971 and are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies.

With virtually all of TVG's on-air personalities taking part, the four-hour show will kick off with a red carpet segment featuring interviews with arriving dignitaries, celebrities and award nominees. Then it's inside for the presentation of the 16 Eclipse Awards. The telecast will conclude with interviews with the winners and commentary by TVG's horseracing experts.

"This won't be your standard televised awards show," said TVG senior vice president and executive producer Tony Allevato. "Our goal is to deliver a high energy program that captures all the highs of the 2004 horseracing season."