January 20 - Talk about a two-horse race, this year's coveted 2009 Horse of the Year award was exactly that as it came down to just two thoroughbreds, talented three-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra, and unbeaten five-year-old mare Zenyatta, but in the end the honour was bestowed upon Rachel Alexandra.

Those gathered at the glittering Eclipse Awards held on Monday night in Beverly Hills, California broke into thundering applause when Rachel Alexandra was announced as the 2009 Horse of the Year, a runner that won all eight of her races last year including the prestigious Preakness Stakes (Gr 1) in Maryland.

In doing so, Rachel became the first female since 1924 to win the auspicious race. She also won, amongst others, the Fair Grounds Oaks (Gr 2), the Fantasy Stakes (Gr 2), the Kentucky Oaks (Gr 1), the Mother Goose Stakes (Gr 1), the Haskell Invitational Handicap (Gr 1) and the Woodward Stakes (Gr 1).

It was revealed that Rachel Alexandra pipped Zenyatta by 130 to 99 votes which were cast by members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), the National Turf Writers Association (NTWA) and the Daily Racing Form (DRF), the organizations that decide the Eclipse Award winners.

Jess Jackson, the majority owner of Rachel Alexandra, accepted the 2009 Horse of the Year Award, his third consecutive Horse of the Year Award, after he accepted in 2007 and 2008 for top-rated colt, Curlin. Upon accepting the award, Jackson made a heartfelt speech that went down well.

'Individually or collectively, there has never been a year like this for fillies,' he said. 'As long as Rachel is able to run and compete at the top level, we look forward to running her for at least another year. I'd also like to thank Jerry and Ann Moss [Zenyatta's owners] for being so gracious through the year.'

Here are the complete 2009 Eclipse Award Winners:

Horse of the Year - Rachel Alexandra
Two-Year-Old Male - Lookin at Lucky
Two-Year-Old Filly - She Be Wild
Three-Year-Old Male - Summer Bird
Three-Year-Old Filly - Rachel Alexandra
Older Male - Gio Ponti
Older Female - Zenyatta
Male Sprinter - Kodiak Kowboy
Female Sprinter - Indian Blessing
Male Turf Horse - Gio Ponti
Female Turf Horse - Goldikova
Steeplechase Horse - Mixed Up
Owner - Godolphin Racing
Breeder - Juddmonte Farms
Trainer - Steve Asmussen
Jockey - Julien Leparoux
Apprentice Jockey - Christian Santiago Reyes