The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Monday that the 32nd annual Eclipse Awards ceremony, honoring Thoroughbred horseracing's divisional champions for the year 2002, will be held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 27, 2003.The black-tie dinner will be held the same day as the Big Sport of Turfdom luncheon, hosted annually by the Turf Publicists of America, and one day after Super Bowl XXXVII in nearby San Diego."California will be a focal point for Thoroughbred racing in 2003," said Keith Chamblin, NTRA senior vice president -- marketing and industry relations. "We're very pleased that the state will host two of horseracing's premier events, the Eclipse Awards dinner and the fall renewal of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park."
Eclipse Awards are presented by the NTRA, the National Turf Writers Association (NTWA) and Daily Racing Form. In addition to honoring champion horses and humans for yearlong excellence, Eclipse Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing.The Regent Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, is located at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive. Tickets for the Eclipse Awards dinner are $300 per individual and $3,000 for a table of 10. Sponsorship packages are available. For hotel accommodations and Eclipse Awards dinner reservations, contact Debbie Blair at the NTRA in Lexington, Ky., (800) 792-NTRA, or via e-mail at dblair@ntra.com.