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Eclipse

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Animal

The Resume

    (April 1, 1764-February 26, 1789)
    Born in Cranbourne Lodge, England, United Kingdom
    British race horse
    Born during a solar eclipse
    Record: 18 wins, 0 losses
    Won 11 King's Plates
    Namesake for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Eclipse Awards

Why he might be annoying:

    He was so ill-tempered that only one jockey could handle him.
    He was unable to compete in England's most prestigious races because his owner, gambler and rogue Denis O'Kelly, was not a member of the Jockey Club.
    His racing career lasted only 17 months (1769-71), largely due a lack of competition.
    Five inkwells were made from his hooves, indicating that at least one is a fake. (Or that he had an unfair advantage by having 25% more legs than other horses.)

Why he might not be annoying:

    He won by such huge margins that his jockey never had to use the whip or spurs.
    The phrase 'Eclipse first, the rest nowhere' became a British idiom for a dominating victory.
    He sired three winners of Britain's most prestigious race, the Epsom Derby.
    An estimated 80-90% of thoroughbred horses are descended from him.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 143 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 25 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 36 Votes: 5.56% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 83 Votes: 42.17% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 13 Votes: 38.46% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 29.41% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 21 Votes: 71.43% Annoying