ECLIPSE Michael Church SIGNED Leather bound 2000

ECLIPSE

By Michael Church

THE HORSE - THE RACE - THE AWARDS

Bound in black leather, with gilt lettering to front and spine, all edges gilt, 416 pages. Landscape 24 x 18cm.

Book No. 13 of 1250 dedicated to ECLIPSE - SIGNED BY MICHAEL CHURCH

Published by THOROUGHBRED ADVERTISING 2000.

There was to be a new race, conceived as something grander, richer and more prestigious than any previously staged, a contest that would test the merits of the best horses of different generations at weight-for-age over a demanding course at the height of summer on a recently opened course in the Surrey countryside, within easy reach of London.

The idea, conceived by Sandown Park's manager Hwfa Williams, was brilliant, representing potentially the most significant addition to racing's calendar of events since the inauguration of the Derby over 100 years earlier. But it had to have a name, a striking name that would capture the public's imagination, that would signify something different from the usual recognition of a local landmark or noble patron, that would express in a single word all that was great and worthy of celebration about the Thoroughbred.

There could be no name more appropriate as a celebration of both species and sport than that of ECLIPSE, the horse who, almost a century after his death, was still universally recognised as the paragon of the breed, unsurpassed in achievement as athlete and progenitor.  The inspired annexation of Eclipse's name for the race made Williams's idea complete.

More than 200 years had elapsed since the retirement of Eclipse when American authorities sought a name that would suitably convey the pre-eminence of their annual awards for outstanding accomplishments in racing.  James B. Faulconer, one of the organising committee, solicited no reward for originality when he suggested the appropriation of Eclipse's name, but its ready acceptance by his fellows - and subsequently by the American public at large - provided ample proof that the centuries had not dimmed the horse's reputation.  Eclipse remains indelibly associated with superior class, and is unique among his breed for the global recognition of his achievements.

In this meticulously researched and beautifully designed work, presenting a mass of well-indexed information unavailable elsewhere, MICHAEL CHURCH celebrates the life of the supreme 18th Century champion and traces the development of the 19th and 20th Century innovations he inspired.  His endeavours have resulted in a fitting tribute at the dawn of the 21st Century, when Eclipse's continuing impact is expressed in his place as male-line ancestor of some 95 per cent of the world's thoroughbreds.

Tony Morris

CONTENTS

PART ONE - THE HORSE

The Life and Background of Eclipse

His Racing Record

Dennis O'Kelly

The Pedigree of Eclipse

His Progeny

His Veterinary Examination

The Skeleton of Eclipse

Variations in Osteology

PART TWO - THE RACE

The Origins of the race

Titles, Courses, Conditions

Winners of the Eclipse Stakes

Plan of Sandown Park

Results, Commentaries, Winners' Pedigrees, Progeny, Sires, Dams and their produce

Comparative value of the £ through three centuries

Performance ratings of the winners

PART THREE - THE AWARDS

The Evolution of the awards

The Eclipse Award Winners with race records and pedigrees, together with the people and media awards

EXCELLENT CONDITION - WILL BE POSTED FIRST CLASS RECORDED