Four-time Group 1 winner City Of Troy (Justify) was named Cartier Horse of the Year at the 34th Cartier Racing Awards in London on Wednesday evening.
Trained by Aidan O'Brien for Coolmore partners Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who took four awards on the night, City Of Troy was last year's Cartier Two-Year-Elderly Colt. No horse other than Frankel (GB) has won both titles in consecutive years.
City Of Troy, winner of the Derby, Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International this year, takes the Cartier Horse of the Year award ahead of his stablemate Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), multiple Group 1 winner Charyn (Irishman). ) (Gloomy Angel {Ire}) and Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). He also won the Cartier Three-Year-Elderly Colt title 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 after three Group 1 wins in the Queen Anne Stakes, the Prix Jacques Le Marois and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The four-year-old was awarded the nod ahead of Bluestocking, King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath (D) (Adlerflug {D.}) and Godolphin's globetrotter 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, has been named a Cartier Stayer for the second time .
The Cartier Three-Year-Elderly Filly is Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), also a three-time Group 1 winner this year in 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 saw off fellow Group 1 winners Tamfana (Ger) (Solider Hollow {GB}), Ramatuelle (Justify) and by Kalpana (GB) (Study of Man {Ire}).
The Cartier Sprinter Award was given to the Archie Watson-trained watch Bradsell (UK) (Tasleet {GB}), winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes and Flying Five for Victorious Racing. Runners-up in this category were Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}).
In the juvenile class, Godolphin's Shadow Of Delicate (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is the Cartier Two-Year-Elderly Colt, having become the second two-year-old in 42 years to win both the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. Also in the running were Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Sizzling {GB}) and Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never).
The unbeaten Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), whose highest wins came in the Cheveley Park Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, was named Cartier Two-Year-Elderly Filly over Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night). Of Thunder {Ire}), Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire})
The 2024 recipient of the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit is Jessica Harrington. A former international three-day eventer for Ireland, she has become one of her country's most successful trainers in both Flat and National Hunt racing.
“We are delighted to celebrate another great year of European racing and our congratulations go to all of this year’s winners of the Cartier Racing Awards,” said Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK.
“City Of Troy has looked an exceptional colt all season and he is a worthy recipient of the Cartier Horse of the Year award. We are honored to present the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit to Jessica Harrington, who has proven to be such an inspirational figure throughout the equestrian world.”
