Conduit lands US honour as Curlin makes it two in a row

Curlin became the first horse since Cigar in 1995-96 to be named America's Horse of the Year in consecutive years at the Eclipse Awards last night, but there was British success too.

Sir Michael Stoute's Conduit was named Champion Turf Male following his success in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita in October - his sole start in the US.

Curlin won five of his seven starts in 2008 and retained his Horse of the Year crown at the expense of the unbeaten Zenyatta, winner of the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic by 153 votes to 69, with Big Brown (13) third.

Jess Jackson, majority owner of Curlin, hailed his horse as one of racing's greats. He said: "It's no mean feat to win two Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year. We took on everyone on all tracks in all conditions, and I think he deserves the honour. He's one of the greats of the industry."

The event was held at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel and is decided by votes from America's Daily Racing Form, National Turf Writers Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

Curlin was also named champion older male while Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown was successful in the three-year-old male category.

Conduit's remarkable rise to becoming Europe's fifth Male Turf Eclipse Award winner following success in the Breeders' Cup Turf hardly looked likely when the son of Dalakhani contested a Class 2 handicap on Derby Day at Epsom last June.

But a scintillating performance under jockey Ryan Moore proved to be the stepping stone to a remarkable run of success.