City of Troy named Cartier Horse of the Year

The 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-Old 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). ) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). He also won the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt title over Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Calandagan (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}).

Charynowned 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 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Bluestocking Goliath (D) (Adlerflug {D.}) and Godolphin’s globetrotter Rebel’s Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Kypriosowned 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, became a Cartier Stayer for the second time appointed.

Cartier’s three-year-old filly is Porta Fortuna (Irish) (Caravaggio), also a three-time 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 saw off fellow Group 1 winners Tamfana (Ger) (Solider Hollow {GB}), Ramatuelle (Justify) and by Kalpana (GB) (Study of Man {Ire}).

The The Cartier Sprinter Award was presented to the Archie Watson-trained athlete 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 youth department: Godolphin’s Shadow of Light (UK) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt, having become the second two-year-old to win both the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes in 42 years. Also in the running were Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never).

The undefeated one Lake Victoria (Irish) (Frankel {GB}), whose highest 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 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.”