The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) have awarded the 2016 Media Eclipse Awards for Writing to John Scheinman in the Feature/Commentary category and Natalie Voss in the News/Enterprise category and the Eclipse Award for Photography to Tod Marks, it was announced Wednesday. Scheinman's piece, “Andrew Beyer: Rebel with a Cause,” and Voss's “'Something's Wrong With My Brain'–The Lurking Danger of Concussions for Jockeys,” both appeared on the Paulick Report website.
Scheinman, a freelance writer-editor and former turf writer at the Washington Post, earns his second Eclipse Award after previously capturing the Feature/Commentary writing Eclipse in 2014 for “Memories of a Master: The Determined Life of Dickie Small.” His profile of Andy Beyer examines the career of the acclaimed turf writer, horseplayer and creator of Beyer Speed Figures.
“It is extremely gratifying to win the Eclipse Award having written about a person who had such a profound influence on my approach to horse racing in Andy Beyer,” said Scheinman. “When I found out that Andy would no longer be writing for the Washington Post or Daily Racing Form, all I heard was silence. I thought that this was an injustice to a towering figure in our sport that also spoke to the decline of coverage of horse racing. I had thought about writing this story for a long time.”
This is the first Eclipse Award for Voss, who serves as Features Editor at the Paulick Report. In her piece, Voss explores the problems and effects of repeated head trauma in jockeys–as well as ways to mitigate the risk of severe injuries.
“I am still completely overwhelmed and honored to win an Eclipse Award,” said Voss. “As someone who loves this sport, this was a difficult topic to write about, but sometimes in order to make things better, you have to shine a light on something that's hard to see.”
Marks joins Voss as a first-time recipient. In addition to his work for the Chronicle of the Horse, Marks regularly contributes to The Saratoga Special and serves as the regular photographer for the National Steeplechase Association. His winning photo captures fallen jockey Kieran Norris diving toward his loose whip as a competitor flies past him.
“This is an immense honor and I am deeply touched,” said Marks. “It's fair to say I am humbled, overwhelmed, and stunned. Like many of my fellow photographers, I am driven by my admiration for these magnificent, quirky creatures who give their all.”
All three winners will receive their trophies at the 46th Annual Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 21, at Gulfstream Park.
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