2009 will close out the first decade of the new century, so it is time to look back and see who was the best horse racing had to offer over the last ten years. I will take a look at trainers in this part, then jockeys, and finally Thoroughbred race horses.
The past decade has been dominated by three trainers to the point that they are the only ones to win the Outstanding Trainer Eclipse Award during that period. All three are still top trainers with some of the best horses racing.
Also check out the best Jockeys and Race Horses of the past decade.
Bobby Frankel
© Cindy Pierson Dulay
Bobby Frankel started off the decade winning the Trainer Eclipse Award for four straight years (2000 through 2003) with horses such as Empire Maker, Squirtle Squirt, Starine, Intercontinental, Aldebaran, Leroidesanimaux, and Ghostzapper. He was less active the last couple of years due to health problems, but still had many good horses such as 2007 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Ginger Punch and 2008 Hollywood Turf Cup winner Champs Elysees. Sadly he passed away at age 68 after a battle with lymphoma on November 16, 2009.
Todd Pletcher
© Cindy Pierson Dulay
Todd Pletcher took over dominance of the training ranks in 2004, winning the Eclipse Award for four years straight ending in 2007. During this time he trained horses such as Rags to Riches, English Channel, Wait a While, Ashado, Speightstown, Fleet Indian, Left Bank, Lawyer Ron, Any Given Saturday, Bluegrass Cat, Cowboy Cal, Game Face, and Unbridled Belle. He is still one of the top trainers in the game with a huge stable racing across the country, although he seems to be getting more competiton for the "big horses" now from Steve Asmussen.
Steve Asmussen
© Cindy Pierson Dulay
Steve Asmussen seems to be the hot trainer these days. He took the lead in the training ranks in 2008, setting records for most wins and just recently passed the 5000 win mark. He won the Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer in 2008 with a season that included two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, Louisiana Derby winner Pyro, Pimlico Special winner Student Council, and Kentucky Cup Classic winner Zanjero. He continues to make headlines in 2009 with the superfilly Rachel Alexandra as his stable star along with stakes winners Pyro, Kensei, J Be K, War Echo, Four Gifts, and Hot Dixie Chick. He has a very good shot at winning the Eclipse Award again this year.
