Europe can expect slim pickings in Eclipse Awards

THERE will be slim pickings for European horses when America’s prestigious Eclipse Awards are handed out in Beverly Hills, California, later this month.

Andre Fabre’s Breeders' Cup Turf winner Shirocco is the only European-trained horse to be announced as one of the 45 finalists in the 15 categories for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s annual awards.

In the last few years the ceremony has seen triumphs for transatlantic raiders High Chaparral, Ouija Board, Islington, Johannesburg, Fantastic Light and Kalanisi.