By Evan Hammonds
In one of the most highly anticipated announcements in Thoroughbred racing history, Rachel Alexandra was named 2009 Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Awards Jan. 18 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The announcement was made just before 10:30 p.m. EST by Alex Waldrop, head of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association in front of a packed house at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and on live television on TVG and ESPN News. Before opening the envelope that held the winner, Waldrop asked for the audience to give them one last round of applause. The crowd gave both participants a standing ovation.
Rachel Alexandra was the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and she was the first filly in history to beat males in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I). She won all eight of her starts, dominating her own division with victories in the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), Fantasy Stakes (gr. II), Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and Mother Goose (gr. I). Against the boys, she added a victory in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) between the Preakness and Woodward.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54900/rachel-alexandra-named-horse-of-the-year
