Rachel Alexandra Wins HOY

In one of the most talked about battles in year-end voting Rachel Alexandra edged out Zenyatta for the Horse of the Year title at Monday’s Eclipse Awards

at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel . Rachel Alexandra garnered 130 votes with Zenyatta earning 99 of them in a year that was all about the ladies.

"Together, Rachel and Zenyatta conquered four of the best groups of males that were running last year," said Jess Jackson, principle owner of Rachel Alexandra. "We're hoping that each horse taking its course may win their way to an ultimate match.

“Maybe we can work toward that," Jackson added, looking at Zenyatta’s owner, Jerry Moss. "Jerry, I don't know whether we can talk too quickly."

"Someday we'll meet, and we'll decide at that time who's the best," said Moss. "Zenyatta's never lost, she's perfect. Nobody's beaten her on the racetrack, so they beat her by proxy as far as I'm concerned."

Rachel Alexandra also took home the Eclipse Award for Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year, while Zenyatta was named the Older Female of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Other Eclipse Award winners were:

Two-Year-Old Male - Lookin At Lucky,
Two-Year-Old Filly - She Be Wild
Three-Year-old Male - Summer Bird
Older Male and Male Turf - Gio Ponti
Female Turf – Goldikova
Male Sprinter - Kodiak Kowboy
Female Sprinter - Informed Decision
Steeplechase - Mixed Up
Owner - Godolphin Racing
Breeder - Juddmonte Farms
Trainer - Steve Asmussen
Jockey - Julien Leparoux
Apprentice Jockey - Christian Santiago Reyes