In doing research for this, I quickly realized that this award was not as important to the men and women nominated for it as you may think. Their main goal was for the horses to receive the credit they deserved. These trainers were almost apologetic about the "spot-light" they were receiving from their peers. So, I had to work at getting down to facts with this humble group. While all the nominees had fantastic years and very impressive numbers, this years winner of the Eclipse Award for Best Trainer did it in a very workman like manner. The long hours and hard work not only paid off on the ovals around the world, but have paid off by being selected as the 2001 Eclipse Trainer of the Year. Congratulations to RACELORD.

I was able to track Racelord down, but it wasn't easy. My request for an interview was met with "sure, come on over." What I didn't know was that we would be doing the interview across the pond in England at the Royal Ascot Training Course, and at 5AM in the morning. Racelord explained to me that this was the time where he was most relaxed. He had a couple of his promising new comers here getting ready for races in the upcoming weeks. As we each sat atop our horses at the top of the stretch on one of the most beautiful race tracks I had ever seen, the sun was just appearing over the barns along the backstretch. Racelord has a couple of his mounts out on the track for some light work. However, he was also watching other horses go through their routines. When I asked why he did this, he explained to me, "Claiming is the spine of this game, it gives you possibilities to get horses cheap that can earn a lot of points." So, here is one of the most successful trainer in all of the SIM, at 5 o'clock in the morning looking for a claimer to earn his owners more glory. His barn today has eight runners. Of the eight, five were acquired via the claim. *He also managers and oversees another stable that has achieved over 100 wins.

Now Eclipse winning trainers are not normally trainers that run claimers. These are trainers that spend their time prepping for Grades Stakes races. This award, The Eclipse, is reserved for the trainers that win the BIG races. What separates Racelord apart from most is his ability to spot a claimer, then turn that horse into a BIG race winner. And, he has proven he not only knows how to do that, but he knows how to do that very well.

As we continued our talk time passing easily along, his keen eyes never left the track. They surveyed what was happening in front of him. As a big lanky bay mare came sprinting by, I could see a smile move across his face. "Stamina ! Mid-distance races are the ones with the most money and glory, so that's what I'm looking for in my horses." Racelord had spotted this mare that has continued to be entered into sprints. She is entered in a $50,000 claiming race next week, and it looks like Racelord may be taking a liking to her. I then asked if he was particular to one Sire or another, " I don't think so. As long as they provide me with stamina, I'm happy." "Being that I only race in Europe/Asia/Australia I'm trying to make my stable more 'turfish'." Is "turfish" a word ?

I next wanted to know about how what he looked for in his homebreds. Again, his answer was "Stamina". "Saddle Tetecate was bred a year ago, and has turned out pretty well." (Saddle Tetecate is a four year old filly out of Sadler's Well x Sir Ivor x Luthier(FR). She has five wins, five seconds, and 1 show in 18 starts; earning $185,662.) " The good thing is she runs well at the mid-distances, the bad thing is she runs better on dirt than the turf." His other homebred is Tetetotoora(GB). This four year old filly out of Mtoto(GB) x Stage Door Johnny x Le Fableux, has won two out of twelve starts. But, she has $139k in earning. "She is a really nice stayer filly, but then again, she seems to be hotter on dirt." Shaking his head with a grin, "This is a pattern that colours my breeding, even though I seem to get stamina, I seem to get too much dirt..."

Dirt or not, he has had on heck of a year. He led all trainers this year in wins with 64. He had earning of $3,406,834; and a 85% in the money finish total. He also averaged $16,782 every time his horses entered the gates. What does all that mean ? Well, the next closest trainer had only 52 wins. He ranked 8th in money earners. But, what is remarkable about this is he did not have a Grade 1 win this year. In fact, he only had one Grade 2 win(High Cozzene) and two Grade 3 wins. "I usually stay at Stakes level, because of the lack of big races on dirt in my area; and because I believe I don't have solid graded horses."

That last statement goes to show you that Racelord is looking out for his horses. He certainly has a couple that could make the turns with Graded company. They may not win on a regular bases, but they have the ability. But, he would rather see his horses win at level consistent to what they can perform at, and be happy for the win. High Cozzene is one of two big shots in the barn. This six year old out of Cozzene x Danzig x Graustark, has racked up 29 wins and over $2.4 million on purse money. He won the "That Goat Just Fainted Cup", a Grade 2 in Ireland; and last year he won the "Demeter Harvest Trophy" a Grade 1 in North America.

But, when he speaks of Bustfully Not Raul, you can see a sort of glean in his eyes. The eight year old is out of Seattle Slew x Bugle Note x Sea-Bird. This old man has won 23 of 63 for over $1.2 million. What is so special about that ? When Racelord shared this story with me, you could feel the passion he feels for special horse. "When I started playing this game, I didn't know much about American horse racing. Therefore, I was "given" a bunch of sprinters and milers. I made it my main goal to get a horse that could win at mid-distances and stayer races. In week 257, I found an interesting horse in a claiming race. He was sired by Seattle Slew and the dam had a lot of stamina in her family. I put in a claim, got him, and was pretty excited even though he finished six in that race. The next week he won a Maiden Special for me, at 14 furlongs on the dirt; and he killed the opponents. Since then he has given me so much fun !" He has given him so much fun ? Isn't that exactly why all trainers should be doing this ?

Racelord has also proven he is consistent. In 2000, he won 62 races for $2,771,022. His in the money percentage was 80% and he was returning $13,070 for every start. As we trotted back to his barn, I asked him what he thought made him a good trainer, given his high level of success the past two years. He looked at me, almost in amusement, and responded, "I am ? You tell me."

Racelord's 2001 Stats (overall ranking)

Starts - 203
Wins - 64(1)
Top 3 Finishes - 174
Earnings - $3,406,834(8)
Win % - 31%
In Money % - 85%(5)
Earnings/Start - $16,782