Top Colt Animal Kingdom Ready To Run For $10 Million

Monday night, Animal Kingdom was awarded the Eclipse Award as the top 3-year-old thoroughbred colt in 2011. Animal Kingdom is the 2011 winner of the Kentucky Derby who is owned in part by Madison residents Tom and Julie Furey who are members of the Team Valor partnership.

The Eclipse Award was presented at a black tie dinner gala at the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Tom and Julie Furey were on stage to accept the award, which was presented by actress Bo Derek. The Fureys are due back in Madison Tuesday.

The Eclipse Awards are among the most prestigious and coveted in horse racing. Animal Kingdom has recovered from the injury he suffered when he was bumped in the Belmont Stakes and is now training for The Dubai World Cup March 31^st, which is the richest horse race in the world.

"Animal Kingdom will have one race in Florida before being shipped to Dubai to compete against the best horses in the world in the $10 million Dubai World Cup," Tom Furey said about a week ago. "It's the richest race in the world. Our plans after that will depend on the outcome, as we are open to running in other international events. Needless to say we can't wait to see the big horse back in action."