b'eclipse awardsWest set the tone for the evening whenHandmade Vodka Breeders Cup JuvenileThe Canadian owner did, however, find he thanked the entirety of his team beforeFillies (G1) to close her freshman season.the words to express his gratitude to trainer taking a moment to single out EduardoCo-owner Jonathan Green of D. J. StableMark Casse, who joined him on stage to LunaGame Winners groom and employeewas on hand to accept but was quick toaccept the award. of Wests trainer, Bob Baffertfor his uniquenote short acceptance speeches were notWe were just small horse owners in and often overlooked contributions to thein his blood.Canada, Conrad said. We met Mark five or sport and the welfare of the top horses he hasAlthough weve been in this businesssix years ago. He got us twice to the Queens managed through the years.for over 40 years, we havent had manyPlate, then to the Kentucky Derby, then to A special shout out to Game Win- opportunities to enjoy an event like this,the Breeders Cup, so were looking forward ners groom Eduardo Luna, West said.Green said. As a matter of fact, a longto anywhere else hes going to lead us.I dont think that grooms get the credittime ago my mom accepted an awardIt was a banner evening for trainer Peter that they ought to get. Here is a man whoat Keystone Race Track. After about aMiller, who is used to doing double duty is also the groom of American Pharoah,15-minute speech, she was asked to getwhen it comes to his winning protgs Roy Arrogate, Justify, and Improbable. That isoff the stage. The following year we wonH and Stormy Liberal. Miller accepted the an incredible resum if you think about it.again, and they mailed us the trophy.awards for champion male sprinter and And, Eduardo, if youre looking tonight,Hopefully, if this happens again next year,champion male turf horse for Roy H and thank you. I havent fact-checked this, butwe will be invited back. Stormy Liberal, respectively.I doubt there is another living groom todayManfred Conrad of Conrad Farms couldAmong the most anticipated awards for who has been the groom to two Triplebarely string his words together in the excite- the evening, Thoroughbred breeder of the Crown winners. Thank you for everything;ment of the moment, when Shamrock Roseyear was awarded to John Gunther and his we appreciate it a great deal. was awarded champion female sprinter. daughter, Tanya, who bred Triple Crown The champion 2-year-old filly EclipseIm just speechless. I didnt expect this,winner Justify along with other top-level tal-was awarded to the connections ofand its awesome, he said, drawing a blankent running in North America and Europe. Jaywalk, who scored back-to-back winson the names he had planned to thank andTanya works endless hours planning in the Frizette Stakes (G1) and the Titosearning a laugh from the crowd. all the matings of our mares, and she manages our Glennwood Farm, Gunther said. Its such an honor to have achieved this award. If it wasnt for my daughter, I wouldnt be standing here.Overwhelmed by the gravity of the mo-ment, Tanya said she was content to let her father do the talking. I was just standing behind him almost in a daze, like What?the younger Gunther said. This is the first time Ive ever been to the Eclipse Awards. It has been absolutely incredible.Perhaps the only misstep of the night came during the award for champion 3-year-old filly. Awarded to the connections of five-time grade 1 winner Monomoy Girl, majority owner Sol Kumin began his speech with praise for trainer Brad Cox, who earned his first grade 1 win with the talented daughter of Tapizar in April 2018. He then thanked BSW Bloodstock agent Liz Crow, who had never signed a purchase ticket for a Thorough-bred before she found the champion filly at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale. anne M. eberhardtKumin was unfortunately interrupted during his speech as the next award was an-nounced, and his voice was no longer audible in the auditorium. Justify completed his Triple Crown sweep with a confident performance in the Belmont Stakes. It was a really incredible experience, Crow said after the ceremony. Its just a 64 09_EclipseAwards_use.indd 64 3/21/19 2:55 PM'