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Eclipse Awards highlight golden era in North America

Racenews

Godolphin received the Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Owner, Outstanding Breeder and Champion Male Turf Horse at the 2022 Eclipse Awards in Florida on Thursday evening, reflecting a period of unprecedented success in North America.

All three accolades had also been presented to Godolphin at the 2021 Eclipse Awards, with Modern Games (pictured) emulating Yibir by claiming the Champion Male Turf Horse following scintillating victories in the Woodbine Mile and Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Godolphin recorded 23 Graded race victories in North America, matching the 2021 total, helping secure the Outstanding Owner title for a third straight year, and fifth time in total. As in 2021, all Graded race wins were achieved by homebreds, ensuring Godolphin retained the Outstanding Breeder title.

Lemon Pop could well have added to the recent North American success before injury put paid to any aspirations of running in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Instead, the US-bred has established a formidable dirt record in Japan and notched his seventh win in 10 starts with a first G3 victory in Sunday’s Negishi Stakes at Tokyo. He looks set to tackle the February Stakes on his next start, with a trip to Meydan for the Dubai Golden Shaheen an option.

Several three-year-olds advertised their Classic credentials across the world. Naval Power looks set for a Guineas trial in the UK after taking the Listed Jumeirah Classic, while G2-winning filly Mawj made a winning start to her season on the same Meydan card.

Wet Paint picked up Kentucky Oaks qualifying points as she flew home from the rear to take the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Yakushima looks set to test his NHK Mile credentials on his next start following a comfortable win in Tokyo’s Listed Crocus Stakes.

This week’s Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting looks set to feature a host of horses who have already run well at Meydan this year, with G2 Singspiel Stakes contenders Valiant Prince, Dubai Future and Ottoman Fleet having dominated the G2 Al Rashidiya.

Ipi Tombe Stakes winner Soft Whisper could face Saratoga Oaks scorer With The Moonlight in the G2 Cape Verdi, while Listed Al Khail Trophy victor Global Heat holds an entry in the Vazirabad Handicap.