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Godolphin, Flightline Eclipse the rest at 2022 awards

Godolphin, Flightline Eclipse the rest at 2022 awards Jan 27, 2023

By Duane Fonseca

Godolphin scored a double on the 2022 Eclipse Awards winners roster, sweeping the Top Breeder and Top Owners prizes for the second consecutive year, with the sensational but now retired Flightline also enjoying a double success that included the Horse of the Year prize.

It was also the royal blues’ third straight trophy as top owner.

Furthermore, 2022 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Modern Games, trained by British Champion Flat Trainer Charlie Appleby was also adjudged Eclipse Male Turf Horse of the Year, Shadwell too earned a distinction, with their Grade 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Malathaat, trained by Todd Pletcher, being bestowed with the Eclipse Award for Older Dirt Female.

Godolphin’s Director of Bloodstock, Michael Banahan said: “This is truly a golden era for Godolphin racing. And these awards and accolades recognise how special it is.” 

John Sadler’s trained Flightline to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic by eight and a quarter lengths. He ran just thrice last year, but won all those Grade 1 starts with a terrific combined 34-length margin. The 5yo son of Tapit was also named Eclipse Older Dirt Male.

Sadler said: “I hope it brings unity to the industry. Let’s all push forward and bring the industry up, like it should be.”

Pletcher won an eighth Top Trainer gong, while Irad Ortiz Jr. won the Top Jockeys prize.

Ortiz Jr. said: “Thank God first for keeping me healthy and sound and in one piece to be able to keep doing it every day, keep trying. My agent, Steve Rushing, does a great job and the trainers and owners give me great opportunities, a lot of good horses. We've had an amazing year.”


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