Ever wondered if a racing superstar could steal the spotlight despite barely showing up in the main arena? That's the electrifying dilemma shaking up the Eclipse Awards this year, where horse racing's Oscars are handed out—and the older dirt male category is sparking fierce debates that could divide fans and experts alike.
But here's where it gets controversial: Should a horse with just one U.S. race under its belt even qualify for the top prize? Let's dive into this gripping discussion, which has been part of the Eclipse Awards since they kicked off back in 1971. While some divisions in 2025 seem like no-brainers with clear winners, the older dirt male award is guaranteed to ignite passionate arguments.
In my view, the crux of this debate hinges on whether voters should seriously consider Forever Young (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/forever-young-jpn/2021), the victorious champion of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). For those new to the sport, the Eclipse Awards celebrate the year's top Thoroughbred racehorses in various categories, much like how film awards honor the best movies and actors. It's a prestigious honor voted on by experts, and this year's older dirt male division is anything but straightforward.
Forever Young undeniably shone as the premier older dirt horse racing in America in 2025, especially when he triumphed in the packed field of the November 1 Breeders' Cup Classic. He outlasted formidable rivals, including last year's winner Sierra Leone (http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/stallions/173300), the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) victor Fierceness (http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/stallions/173317), and the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) hero Mindframe (http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/stallions/173323). Chances are, the top three contenders for the award will emerge from this elite quartet.
Earlier that year, Forever Young edged out by a mere neck a competitor widely hailed as the world's greatest racehorse, Romantic Warrior (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/romantic-warrior-ire/2018), in the high-stakes $20 million Saudi Cup (G1). Imagine that— a showdown so epic it was arguably the global race of the year! He also placed third in the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) and clinched a lesser stakes race in Japan as preparation for the Breeders' Cup. Yet, despite these accolades, Forever Young had only a single outing on U.S. soil.
This is the part most people miss: How do we judge a horse for an American award when its North American experience is so limited? The Eclipse Awards lack strict rules or prerequisites. It's all subjective—beauty is in the eye of the beholder, for better or worse, in this voter-driven system.
To clarify for beginners, here's the key guideline for equine categories: Voters can only choose Thoroughbreds who raced at least once in 2025 within the United States or Canada. Many prefer horses that are either U.S.-based or have most of their starts here. For those folks, Forever Young might not even enter the picture.
And this is where things get really intriguing—I've always included international horses that raced in the U.S. on my ballot, especially if they delivered a standout win in a major event when no domestic horse stood out. This scenario pops up often in turf male and female divisions, where a superior European grass runner dominates without strong U.S. competition building impressive résumés.
Forever Young poses a real puzzle for me. I firmly believe he was the top older dirt male competing in the U.S. in 2025. He secured as many U.S. Grade 1 victories as both Sierra Leone and Fierceness, and just one fewer than Mindframe, all while logging only that one North American start. On the flip side, the other three strong candidates are exceptional athletes with solid records right here at home. To illustrate, let's break down this trio for a clearer understanding.
Sierra Leone, fresh off his 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic win and title as champion 3-year-old male, won just one of his five 2025 races—but what a win! In August at Saratoga, he charged from well behind to capture the Whitney Stakes (G1) by a full length. He never finished worse than third that year, with strong Grade 1 seconds in the Stephen Foster to Mindframe, the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) to Antiquarian (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/antiquarian/2021), and the Breeders' Cup Classic to Forever Young. As a horse that relies on a deep closing kick, Sierra Leone's performances have been hit-or-miss, often depending on the pace set by others, which explains his sporadic trips to the winner's circle.
Mindframe kicked off 2025 with three consecutive wins: the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2), the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), and the Stephen Foster Stakes. He bested the 2025 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile champion Nysos (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/nysos/2021) in the Churchill Downs Stakes, along with top sprinter Book'em Danno (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/bookem-danno/2021), and even turned the tables on Sierra Leone in the Stephen Foster. At that stage, Mindframe seemed poised to lead the pack, but his campaign hit a snag when his jockey was thrown after a rough bump in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, preventing him from finishing. He then underperformed, unplaced in the Classic—his first race in over four months. Mindframe started strong but faded in the latter part of the season.
Fierceness competed in five races throughout 2025, smashing a track record for 1 1/16 miles in May's Alysheba Stakes (G2) and dominating the Pacific Classic by 3 1/4 lengths over Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/journalism/2022) in August. He also secured seconds in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and thirds in the Breeders' Cup Classic, just 1 1/2 lengths behind. His only off day was a fifth-place finish in the Whitney, but let's give credit where it's due—Fierceness and his team consistently challenged elite fields head-on. For a horse known for inconsistency in earlier years, he was outstanding all season long.
Do any of these three's achievements outweigh Forever Young's? It's a genuinely tough decision for voters, and it promises to create buzz at the 55th Annual Eclipse Awards on January 22, 2026, at The Breakers Palm Beach. But is it fair to prioritize U.S.-based horses over international stars with world-class wins? Or does one standout performance abroad trump a year of domestic consistency? What if Forever Young's limited exposure actually highlights the global nature of racing today? I'd love to hear your take—do you side with the local heroes, or does Forever Young deserve the crown? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let's debate this Eclipse dilemma!
