SHAWANO, WI – A Shawano photographer was in the right place at the right time to capture a moment in history.

Jim Leuenberger won an Eclipse Award for his photograph of the historical 2019 Kentucky Derby Maximum Security disqualification.

“It is one of those things that happens and you can shoot a million pictures and something like that would never happen.”

Leuenberger has been attending the Kentucky Derby with a media credential for the last couple of years.

“A photographer I knew from the Daily Racing Form called me and asked me if I would be available to shoot pictures for them.”

In 2019, he had the perfect view of a moment that he did not realize was even happening.

“My position was on the fourth turn about a quarter of a mile from the finish line,” he said. “My camera shoots 8 frames a second, so as the horse were rounding the turn, I was just clicking away to beat the band.”

He says that was when he captured the iconic image of Maximum Security veering into the path of other horses as he was nearly sideways on the track.

Leuenberger said it was not until after the horse was disqualified that his images were downloaded.

“I heard someone say, “you got the shot,” Leuenberger said.  “The fact that it captured a moment in history that had never happened before.”

Leuenberger nominated his photo for the prestigious Eclipse Award which is given to media members for outstanding coverage of thoroughbred racing.

“Christmas Eve I got a phone call and he told me that I won the Eclipse Award and you talk about a Christmas present, I could not believe it.”

Jim and his wife Irene traveled to Hallandale Beach, Florida in January to accept the award.

“The winners get this beautiful bronze sculpture of a horse.”

He says it is the highlight of his photography career and the image is even hanging up in his house.

“I did have a 16 x 20 canvas print made that is hanging in our family room right above the trophy.”

As a long time fan of horse racing, Leuenberger says he was able to combine two loves for a moment that he will never forget.