Did Curlin Earn Second Straight Horse of the Year Award?

Posted by BarbaraAnne Helberg Feb 5, 2009

There are few Thoroughbreds who have been voted Horse of the Year in consecutive years. The last to do so was Cigar (1995-1996), from whom Curlin wrenched the all-time career racing earnings title this season past. That alone would seem to have earned Curlin the 2008 HOY. He not only won the Dubai World Cup Classic (a $6 million race), he came back to American soil to scoop up every premier race in sight, save the last -- the BC Classic, where, as his owner and trainer had feared, it was the new Pro-Ride track surface that did in the champ after he had fought to a leading position in his final stretch run. But no Thoroughbred did more than Curlin in 2008.

We watched Curlin grow from his beginning, run in a wild and green 2007 Kentucky Derby, pounding out a third place finish down the middle of the lane as if to say, "Hey, wait for me, gents! I'm arriving!" It was his first year of competition. We held our breath as Curlin showed true courage in the Preakness, nosing out the Derby champ (Street Sense) for a huge victory. We screamed boy-girl during the Belmont as Curlin displayed desire, heart, and guts as he was himself nosed out by the equally courageous filly, Rags to Riches.

We were awed by the tremendous move around the turn on muddy, misty Breeders' Cup day when the chestnut left the rest behind and claimed true fame. Last March we bursted with American pride when the four-year-old colt put away the world at Dubai, and when he captured the Stephen Foster, the Woodward, the Jockey Club Gold Cup (second straight), and the money title.

Second straight HOY deserved? Absolutely! Happy trails, Curlin! We hopefully await your offspring!