Two Breeders' Cup World Championships winners, two trainers from the iconic Head family, and a filly owned by Her Majesty The Queen were among the honorees Nov. 12 when the 23rd annual Cartier Racing Awards were presented at the Dorcester Hotel in London, England.
Undefeated 3-year-old filly Treve, who outlasted older horses and males in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I), took home the top award when she was honored as Cartier Horse of the Year.
Trained by Criquette Head-Maarek for Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani of Qatar, the daughter of Motivator won all five of her 2013 starts, including three group I events. She beat out Moonlight Cloud and Novellist, both undefeated this year; and Sky Lantern and Al Kazeem, each three-time group I winners in 2013. Treve also was honored with the Cartier 3-Year-Old Filly Award over Sky Lantern, who had three group I wins over a mile, and three other fillies.
Moonlight Cloud, a George Strawbridge homebred trained by Freddie Head, Criquette Head-Maarek's brother, received the Cartier Older Horse Award over Al Kazeem, Declaration of War, Farhh, and Novellist. Declaration of War finished a close third in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) after winning two group I races in Europe earlier in the year.
Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner Magician, owned by the Coolmore Stud connections of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier and trained by Aidan O'Brien, received the Cartier 3-Year-Old Colt award. Other nominees were Godolphin's QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) winner Dawn Approach, trained by Jim Bolger, who is also responsible for Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Ire-I) winner Trading Leather; Investec Derby (Eng-I) victor Ruler Of The World; and the Richard Hannon-trained Toronado, winner of the QIPCO Sussex Stakes (Eng-I).
The other Breeders' Cup winner honored with a Cartier Award was Chriselliam, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT). The filly is owned by Willie Carson, Emily Aspey, and Chris Wright and trained by Charlie Hills.
Outstrip, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT), lost out in voting for the Cartier 2-Year-Old Colt Award, which went to Kingston Hill.
The Stayer Award went to Her Majesty The Queen's Estimate, who provided her owner with a Gold Cup (Eng-I) success at Royal Ascot.
HORSE OF THE YEAR/3-YEAR-OLD FILLY
Treve, by Motivator—Trevise, by Anabaa
Owner: Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani
Trainer: Criquette Head-Maarek
Breeder: Haras du Quesnay (FR)
OLDER HORSE
Moonlight Cloud, 5-year-old mare by Invincible Spirit—Ventura, by Spectrum
Owner/breeder: George Strawbridge (GB)
Trainer: Freddy Head
3-YEAR-OLD COLT
Magician, by Galileo—Absolutelyfabulous, by Mozart
Owners: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Breeder: Absolutelyfabulous Syndicate (Ire)
2-YEAR-OLD COLT
Kingston Hill, by Mastercraftsman—Audacieuse, by Rainbow Quest
Owner: Paul Smith
Trainer: Roger Varian
Breeder: Ridgecourt Stud (GB)
2-YEAR-OLD FILLY
Chriselliam, by Iffraaj—Danielli, by Danehill
Owners: Willie Carson, Emily Aspey, Chris Wright
Trainer: Charlie Hills
Breeder: Ballylinch Stud (Ire)
SPRINTER
Lethal Force, 4-year-old colt by Dark Angel—Land Army, by Desert Style
Owner: Alan Craddock
Trainer: Clive Cox
Breeder: Declan Johnson (Ire)
STAYER
Estimate, 4-year-old filly by Monsun—Ebaziya, by Darshaan
Owner: Her Majesty The Queen
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Breeder: HH The Aga Khan Studs (Ire)
CARTIER/DAILY TELEGRAPH AWARD OF MERIT
Jim Bolger