Eclipse for First Saturday in May

Last Friday, the Hennagan Brother's documentary, The First Saturday in May, was named the winner of the 2008 Media Eclipse Award in the national television feature category. The documentary aired on HorseRacing TV in October and was the second Eclipse for HRTV.

Many of you might remember seeing this film during the two Celebrations of Barbaro's Life at Delaware Park in 2007 and 2008. Brad and John Hennagan, who were on hand for those viewings, spent 16 months traveling the country filming horses preparing for the 2006 Kentucky Derby. I imagine they have spent just as long doing a wonderful job bringing their efforts to the attention of the larger public.

Included among these horses is Barbaro, the eventual winner, and there are some touching moments of Michael Matz introducing Barbaro to his son.

"We are humbled and honored to win an Eclipse Award and want to thank the entire racetrack community for championing our film from the beginning," Brad Hennagan said. "We would especially like to thank Churchill Downs, the Jockey Club, the NTRA and HRTV for their incredible understanding and support throughout this process."

A portion of the proceeds from the film were donated to the Grayson-Jockey Club.

The Hennagan brothers have championed this film from the get-go and done a bang-up job of promoting it. It is wonderful to know that they are getting their just rewards! Congrats!!