High Chaparral scoops top US turf racing award

DUAL Derby winner High Chaparral was named champion male turf horse at the Eclipse Awards in Beverly Hills, California on Monday night when local hope Azeri was crowned Horse of the Year, the Thoroughbred Times website announced.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained High Chaparral landed the Breeders' Cup Turf at Arlington Park in October to clinch his title.

Azeri, winner of eight of her nine races in 2002 including the Breeders' Cup Distaff, took 84% of the votes in the Horse of the Year category after earning a unanimous decision in the champion older female category.