The Eclipse Awards Steering Committee issued a press release Jan. 31 noting that statistics for apprentice jockey J.G. Torrealba were incorrect in the supplement issued to assist voters with their decisions on champions but noted that no change will be made in the category.
The error was caused by incorrect information on when Torrealba competed as an apprentice rider. The corrected stats would have reduced his wins and earnings from what was listed.
The mistake appears highly unlikely to have affected the vote outcome in terms of the winner, Erik Asmussen, who led all apprentices in victories and earnings in 2024 and received 168 first-place votes—well clear of any other candidate. Torrealba received 15 first-place votes while two other apprentice jockeys each received eight first-place votes. (Only first-place votes count toward determining champions.)
As the incorrect stats inflated Torrealba's accomplishments, it's possible that correct information would have impacted the finalists.
The committee said that because of the timing of the error, it was determined that a revote was not tenable and the results will stand.
The steering committee detailed the error as follows:
"Following the close of Eclipse Awards voting on Jan. 2, it was discovered that statistics posted in the voter supplement for apprentice jockey J.G. Torrealba incorrectly designated him as an apprentice jockey through Sept. 16, 2024. The standings provided to voters listed Torrealba as the nation's third-leading apprentice by races won and second-leading apprentice by money won in 2024, with his apprentice allowance ending in September, due to a clerical error at the racetrack level.
"Based on his actual last ride as an apprentice on May 9, 2024, Torrealba's apprentice stats were 47 wins and $1,445,192 in mount earnings.
"Discussions ensued among members of the Eclipse Awards Steering Committee represented by Daily Racing Form, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters to address the matter. Due to the timing of the incident, it was determined that a revote by all voters in the category was not tenable, nor was it a reliable solution to add the fourth-place point earner as a finalist, causing more questions than were already present.
"Importantly, Torrealba did not win the 2024 Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice. The winner, Erik Asmussen, who led all apprentices in victories and earnings in 2024, received 168 first-place votes, well clear of any other candidate. Torrealba received 15 first-place votes while two other apprentice jockeys each received eight first-place votes.
"The Eclipse Awards are widely recognized as our sport's highest achievement. The Steering Committee regrets this error and will work with authorities to ensure that apprentice jockey statistics provided to Eclipse Award voters are accurate in the future."
