Ghaiyyath Crowned Cartier Horse of the Year

Ghaiyyath was crowned Cartier Horse of the Year Nov. 20 following his scintillating flat season that included wins in the Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup (G1), Coral-Eclipse (G1), and Juddmonte International Stakes (G1).

The Charlie Appleby-trained 5-year-old is Godolphin's third horse to take the coveted prize after his three consecutive group 1 wins this year, starting with a brutish display at Newmarket before he lowered the colors of Enable and Magical at Sandown and York, respectively.

He suffered a narrow defeat to Magical in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) in his final start before retirement, but the son of Dubawi followed in the footsteps of Daylami (1999) and Fantastic Light (2001) by scooping the award for Sheikh Mohammed's operation and was also successful in the older horse category.

"To win with Ghaiyyath has been a fantastic achievement by everyone involved with Godolphin," Appleby said.

"His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has followed this horse very closely from being a yearling through his 2-year-old career, and thankfully it has culminated in what he has achieved this year.

"I now pass the baton over to the breeding operation, and I'm sure they will have a lot of fun and success with him in his career.”

Despite falling short in the Horse of the Year category, Battaash was named leading sprinter, while Love took the 3-year-old filly heat after her imperious performances in the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1), Investec Oaks (G1), and Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1).

John Gosden dominated the 30th Cartier Awards once again after three-time Gold Cup (G1) hero Stradivarius maintained his stranglehold on the stayers' division for the third year in succession and Palace Pier took the 3-year-old colt crown. The Newmarket trainer was also recognized for his outstanding training achievements by being presented with the 2020 Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit.

Aidan O'Brien's name was on the award sheet after Criterium International (G1) winner Van Gogh was named 2-year-old colt of the year, while the trainer's son Joseph took home his first Cartier award with bet365 Fillies' Mile (G1) winner Pretty Gorgeous (2-year-old filly).

The Cartier Awards are decided through a combination of points earned by horses in pattern races, the views of a panel of journalists and handicappers, plus the opinions of readers of the Racing Post and the Daily Telegraph.

2020 Cartier Award winners

Horse of the Year: Ghaiyyath

2-Year-Old Colt: Van Gogh

2-year-Old Filly: Pretty Gorgeous

3-Year-Old Colt: Palace Pier

3-Year-Old Filly: Love

Sprinter: Battaash

Stayer: Stradivarius

Older Horse: Ghaiyyath

Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Gosden