Idiomatic (
Curlin) joined a select list of dirt distaffers to win back-to-back Eclipse Awards Thursday evening. Though she had the target on her back for most of the season, she won three of her five tries, including a towering title defense in the GI Spinster Stakes at Keeneland, a race sponsored by her owners, Juddmonte. A scheduled showdown between Idiomatic and eventual Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the Distaff, one of the most anticipated races of the year, had to be scrapped when Idiomatic suffered a minor knee injury in late October. The dual champion retired with five Grade I wins, nine black-type wins, and earnings just shy of $4 million. Idiomatic's repeat win as Champion Older Female gives Hill 'n' Dale's
Curlin–himself a two-time Horse of the Year–his 12th Eclipse Award as a sire. Idiomatic's late stakes-winning and multiple GISP dam, a descendant of 1982 Broodmare of the Year Best in Show, was a full-sister to 2014 Champion Older Female Close Hatches, herself dam of three graded winners. Hill 'n' Dale-based
Curlin has now been represented by a dozen Eclipse winners. Among the other dirt distaffers to win multiple Eclipse Awards are Paseana (Arg), Bayakoa (Arg), Azeri, Zenyatta, Royal Delta and Beholder.