The American Champion Steeplechase Horse is an American horse racing honor awarded as part of the Eclipse Award program since its inception in 1971. It is awarded annually to the top horse in steeplechase racing.
Flatterer is the only horse to win the award four times in a row, his last coming at age 7 in 1986. Lonesome Glory has won the Award five times, more than any other horse, and was the oldest ever when he won it for the final time at age 11. Honorees
Year Horse Age Trainer Owner2025Cool Jet9Jack FisherRiverdee Stable2024Snap Decision10Jack FisherBruton Street-US2023Merry Maker6Archibald J. Kingsley, Jr.Hurricana Farm2022Hewick7John Joseph HanlonTJ McDonald2021The Mean Queen (IRE)5Keri BrionButtonwood Farm2020Moscato9Jack FisherBruton Street2019Winston C 5Jonathan E. SheppardHudson River Farms 2018Zanjabeel5Richard J. HendriksRosbrian Farm and Meadow Run Farm 2017Scorpiancer8Jack FisherBruton Street-US2016Rawnaq9Cyril MurphyIrvin S. Naylor2015Dawalan5Cyril MurphyIrvin S. Naylor2014Demonstrative7Richard ValentineJacqueline Ohrstrom2013Divine Fortune10Jonathan E. SheppardWilliam L. Pape & Jonathan E. Sheppard2012Pierrot Lunaire8Bruce MillerMrs. Calvin Houghland2011Black Jack Blues8Joseph W. Delozier IIIIrvin S. Naylor2010Slip Away7Thomas H. VossKenneth and Sarah Ramsey2009Mixed Up10Jonathan E. SheppardWilliam L. Pape2008Good Night Shirt7Jack FisherHarold A. Via, Jr.2007Good Night Shirt6Jack FisherHarold A. Via, Jr.2006McDynamo9Sanna HendriksMichael J. Moran2005McDynamo8Sanna HendriksMichael J. Moran2004Hirapour8P. Douglas FoutEldon Farm Racing Stable2003McDynamo6Sanna HendriksMichael J. Moran2002Flat Top9Janet ElliotNancy Gerry2001Pompeyo7Sanna HendriksAugustin Stable2000All Gong6Bruce MillerCalvin Houghland1999Lonesome Glory11Bruce MillerKay Jeffords1998Flat Top5Janet ElliotNancy Gerry1997Lonesome Glory9Bruce MillerKay Jeffords1996Correggio5Charles O'BrienWilliam C. Lickle1995Lonesome Glory7Bruce MillerKay Jeffords1994Warm Spell4John K. GriggsJohn K. Griggs1993Lonesome Glory5Bruce MillerKay Jeffords1992Lonesome Glory4Bruce MillerKay Jeffords1991Morley Street7Toby BaldingMichael Jackson Bloodstock1990Morley Street6Toby BaldingMichael Jackson Bloodstock1989Highland Bud4Jonathan E. SheppardJesse M. Henley Jr.1988Jimmy Lorenzo6Jonathan E. SheppardBertram R. Firestone1987Inlander6Charles Fenwick Jr. Dogwood Stable1986Flatterer7Jonathan E. SheppardWilliam L. Pape1985Flatterer6Jonathan E. SheppardWilliam L. Pape1984Flatterer5Jonathan E. SheppardWilliam L. Pape1983Flatterer4Jonathan E. SheppardWilliam L. Pape1982Zaccio6W. Burling CocksBunny Murdock1981Zaccio5W. Burling CocksBunny Murdock1980Zaccio4W. Burling CocksBunny Murdock1979Martie's Anger4Jonathan E. SheppardWilliam L. Pape1978Cafe Prince8Jonathan E. SheppardAugustin Stable1977Cafe Prince7Jonathan E. SheppardAugustin Stable1976Straight and True6Michael Smithwick Sr.Lillian Bostwick Phipps1975Life's Illusion4Paul R. FoutVirginia Guest1974Gran Kan8Clarence FurrFlorence L. Clark1973Athenian Idol5Jonathan E. SheppardWilliam L. Pape1972Soothsayer5Peter M. HoweMarion duPont Scott1971Shadow Brook7Sidney Watters Jr.Stephen C. Clark Jr.
Daily Racing Form, Turf & Sport Digest and Thoroughbred Racing Association Awards YearHorseAgeTrainerOwner1970Top Bid 6D.M Smithwick Mrs Ogden Phipps1969L'Escargot6Dan MooreRaymond R. Guest1968Bon Nouvel8D.M Smithwick Mrs. Theodora A. Randolph1967Quick Pitch7E.B RyanF.P Ryan1966Mako (DRF)6D.M Smithwick Mrs Ogden Phipps1966Tuscalee (TRA)6Joe Aitcheson, Sr.Alfred H. Smith1965Bon Nouvel5D.M Smithwick Mrs. Theodora A. Randolph1964Bon Nouvel4D.M Smithwick Mrs. Theodora A. Randolph1963Amber Driver6S. Watters JrMrs. S.C Clark Jr1962Barnabys Bluff4G.H BostwickG.H Bostwick1961Peal5C.V.B Cushman JrH.A Love1960Benguala6R.G Woolf Montpelier1959Ancestor 10D.M Smithwick Mrs Ogden Phipps1958Neji8D.M SmithwickLillian Bostwick Phipps1957Neji7D.M SmithwickLillian Bostwick Phipps1956Shipboard 6R.G WoolfMontpelier1955Neji5Pete BostwickLillian Bostwick Phipps1954King Commander5E.E WeymouthMrs L.R Troiano1953The Mast6J.E RyanMrs. J.R.H Thouron1952Jam (DRF)5M.H Dixon Jr.J.F McHugh 1952Oedipus (TRA)6James E. FitzsimmonsLillian Bostwick Phipps1951Oedipus5James E. FitzsimmonsLillian Bostwick Phipps1950Oedipus 4James E. FitzsimmonsLillian Bostwick Phipps
Daily Racing Form and Turf & Sport Digest Awards YearHorseAgeTrainerOwner1949Trough Hill7J.T SkinnerMrs. S.C Clark Jr1948American Way6J.T SkinnerRockeby Stable1947War Battle 6K.MillerK.Miller1946Elkridge 8Thomas HitchcockKent Miller1945Mercator6W.G JonesW.H Lipscomb1944Rouge Dragon6W.G JonesM.A Cushman1943Brother Jones7W.R MillerH.E Talbott1942Elkridge 4Thomas HitchcockKent Miller1941Speculate 5W. Passmore Bayard Sharp 1937Jungle King7V. PowersGreentree Stable1936Bushranger6J. Howard LewisJoeseph Widener
References
The Bloodhorse.com Champion's history charts