The four-time Group 1 winner City Of Troy (Justify) has been named Cartier Horse of the Year at the 34th Cartier Racing Awards in London on Wednesday evening.
Trained by Aidan O'Brien for the Coolmore partners Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who received four awards on the night, City Of Troy was last year's Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt. No horse other than Frankel (GB) has won both those titles in successive years.
Winner of the Derby, Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International this year, City Of Troy takes the Cartier Horse of the Year award ahead of stable-mate Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), multiple Group 1-winning miler Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). He also took the title of Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt over Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Calandagan (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}).
Charyn, owned by Nurlan Bizakov and trained by Roger Varian, received the Cartier Older Horse award following three Group 1 wins in the Queen Anne Stakes, Prix Jacques Le Marois and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The four-year-old got the nod over Bluestocking, King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and Godolphin's globe-trotter Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Kyprios, owned by the partnership of Moyglare Stud Farm, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg and winner of the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Irish St Leger and Qatar Prix du Cadran in 2024, was named Cartier Stayer for the second time.
The Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly is Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), also a treble Group 1 winner this year of the Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes and Matron Stakes. Owned by a partnership that includes Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing, Steve Weston and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, the Donnacha O'Brien-trained filly prevailed over fellow Group 1 winners Tamfana (Ger) (Solider Hollow {GB}), Ramatuelle (Justify) and Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}).
The Cartier Sprinter award was given to the Archie Watson-trained Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes and Flying Five for Victorious Racing. Runners-up in the category were Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}).
In the juvenile division, Godolphin's Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt after becoming the second two-year-old in 42 years to win both the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. Also in contention were Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never).
The unbeaten Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), whose top-level wins came in the Cheveley Park Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, was named Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly over Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire})
The recipient of the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2024 is Jessica Harrington. A former international three-day eventer for Ireland, she has become one of her country's most successful trainers across both Flat and National Hunt racing.
“We are thrilled to celebrate another tremendous year of European racing and our congratulations go to all of this year's winners at the Cartier Racing Awards,” said Laurent Feniou, managing director of Cartier UK.
“City Of Troy looked an exceptional colt throughout the season and he is a worthy recipient of the Cartier Horse of the Year award. We are honoured to be able to present the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit to Jessica Harrington, who has proved such an inspirational figure across the equestrian world.”
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