Sierra Leone earned 2024 championship honors at the Eclipse Award program held Jan. 23 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, getting 169 out of a possible 208 first-place votes.
Sierra Leone capped off the year with a dominating win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), his first start against older horses. The victory took the sting out of close losses in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont S. (G1) and Travers S. (G1), and bookended the year that began with wins in the Risen Star S. (G2) and Blue Grass S. (G1).
Owned by Peter M. Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg & Brook T. Smith, the dark bay colt earned $5,911, 250 last year. A $2.3-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale topper, Sierra Leone was bred by Debby Oxley.
He is the second champion sired by Gun Runner, joining 2021 champion 2-year-old filly Echo Zulu.
Sierra Leone is currently in training for 2025 and is being pointed to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on Feb. 22.
