Less than a year ago, a talented three-year-old named Curlin debuted with an emphatic 12 3/4-length victory in a seven-furlong maiden special weight race at Gulfstream Park on February 3.

On Monday, the Smart Strike colt Curlin was honored with Thoroughbred racings top honor as the 2007 Horse of the Year at the 37th annual Eclipse Award ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Curlin, who was also named champion three-year-old male, became the first three-year-old to garner Horse of the Year since a string of three straight sophomores—Charismatic (1999), Tiznow (2000), and Point Given (‘01)—took home the prestigious award.  

Curlin also became the fourth straight Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner to be voted Horse of the Year, following Ghostzapper (2004), Saint Liam (’05), and Invasor (Arg) (’06).

Unraced as a juvenile, Curlin followed his debut win by scoring victories at Oaklawn Park in the Rebel Stakes (G3) and Arkansas Derby (G2). His three-race win streak crumbled when he finished third behind Street Sense in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). Curlin turned the tables on that foe by prevailing by a head after an extended stretch duel in Preakness Stakes (G1). He subsequently finished second to Rags to Riches in the Belmont Stakes (G1) for three classic placings in his Triple Crown campaign.

His powerful wins during the fall in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) sealed top honors for Curlin, who has finished off the board in nine career starts.

Steve Asmussen, who trains Curlin, finished second to Todd Pletcher in the voting for the Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer. Pletcher collected his fourth consecutive Eclipse Award, matching a feat accomplished by two other trainers—Bobby Frankel won the award in 2000, ‘01, ’02, and ’03 and Lazaro Barrera was named outstanding trainer in 1976, ’77, ’78, and ’79.

Pletcher amassed $28,576,097 in purse earnings, eclipsing his 2006 record of $26,820,243. He recorded 94 stakes victories, including 56 graded stakes.

Pletcher trained three champions in 2007—Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches, champion three-year-old female; Whitney Handicap (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1) winner Lawyer Ron, champion older male; and John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner English Channel, champion turf male.

Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner War Pass and Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Indian Blessing were overwhelming winners in their respective categories. Both War Pass and Indian Blessing secured Grade 1 wins prior to the Breeders’ Cup and were undefeated as juveniles.

Adena Springs was named outstanding breeder for the fourth consecutive year.