David Cassidy on the Web
A night of celebration
January 31, 2004
www.thoroughbredtimes.com
Funny Cide's team takes center stage among champions honored at Eclipse Awards dinner
ON A NIGHT usually reserved for the racing stars of the present to shine, echoes from the past reverberated throughout the 33rd annual Eclipse Awards dinner.
Yet, somehow through the remembrances of those who have passed away or retired, racing still finished with a Hollywood-albeit Hollywood, Florida-ending when nine of the ten members of Sackatoga Stable, owner of improbable storybook gelding Funny Cide, crowded the stage at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa on January 26 to claim his trophy as champion three-year-old male.
That scene, along with Mineshaft's awards as Horse of the Year and champion older male, was intertwined with entertainment and sports figures also largely from the past, namely singers David Cassidy and Davy Jones and retired National Football League star Paul Hornung. The presenters and some of the winners went on to invoke the names of Daily Racing Form columnist Joe Hirsch, who retired last year, the late jockey Bill Shoemaker, and owners and breeders William T. Young and Henryk de Kwiatkowski.
Indeed, the dinner, which seemed devoid of spontaneity until Academy Award-winning actor Joe Pesci let loose with a stream of profanity while taking great delight in shaking up the tuxedo-clad crowd before announcing Funny Cide's award, was dedicated to Hirsch. A video tribute called "Giant" looked back at the career of Shoemaker, and fond words were spoken of the late Johnny Longden, winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) as a jockey and a trainer, and Calumet Farm owner de Kwiatkowski. Several speakers paid tribute to Overbrook Farm owner and founder Young, who died in January.
Even Jerry Bailey, who was awarded a record seventh overall and fourth consecutive Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey, hinted at retirement in the near future after receiving his trophy from Cassidy.
"This might be the last time I stand on this stage," said Bailey, noting that he has ridden for 30 years.
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Another one-time U.S. starter to win was Islington (Ire) in the turf female category. Her award was introduced by Jones, the former member of the Monkees band who owns racehorses and seemed delighted to poke fun at fellow singer and presenter Cassidy, formerly of the "Partridge Family" television series.
"It's great to be here tonight and I'm thrilled I can reach the microphone," said the almost jockey-sized Jones. "And I'm so glad to see David Cassidy; I used to watch him when I was a little boy."
Cassidy proclaimed his love for racing and his yearning to be a more significant part of the Eclipse Awards.
"For the past 25 years, I've been breeding horses and it's been a dream of mine to be here tonight, but sadly, not giving one of these away," Cassidy said. "We live to dream, and I have dreamt of winning those big races."
