Baaeed Crowned 2022 Cartier Horse of the Year

Baaeed  was the toast of the 32nd Cartier Racing Awards when crowned Horse of the Year and older horse of the year at the Dorchester Hotel in London Nov. 9.

The retired son of Sea The Stars  is the first horse owned by Shadwell to receive the prestigious Horse of the Year award following an outstanding season that resulted in four group 1 wins. 

Baaeed, who was trained by William Haggas, saw off tough opposition to claim the main accolade, with Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Alpinista , Gold Cup (G1) hero Kyprios , and prolific sprinter Highfield Princess  also nominated.

Baaeed also edged out Alpinista to bag the older horse title, in which his QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) conqueror Bay Bridge  and the versatile Kinross  also received nominations. 

The 3-year-old colt award went the way of Vadeni , who carried the Aga Khan's colors to success in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1) and Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) before finishing second in the Arc. The other nominees were Cazoo Derby In Memory of Lester Piggott (G1) winner Desert Crown  and the Godolphin pair Coroebus  and Modern Games .

Inspiral achieved a rare feat by following up her award last year with success in the 3-year-old filly category. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Inspiral  won two group 1s this year and got the nod ahead of stablemates Nashwa  and Emily Upjohn , as well as Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) winner Tuesday .

Highfield Princess was named sprinter of the year following a trio of group 1 wins, including the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1). She prevailed over Kinross, Minzaal, and Australian sprinter Nature Strip .

It was no surprise Kyprios was crowned stayer of the year following an unbeaten run of four group 1 victories. The Aidan O'Brien-trained 4-year-old dominated a category that also featured Stradivarius , Trueshan , and Cazoo St Leger (G1) winner Eldar Eldarov .

The Coolmore team of Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Westerberg, owners of Kyprios, also took the 2-year-old colt award with Blackbeard , who won twice at group 1 level before being retired. His stablemates Auguste Rodin  and Little Big Bear  were also nominated, alongside Darley Dewhurst Stakes (G1) victor Chaldean .

The final equine award, the 2-year-old filly prize, was won by Lezoo , who was last seen winning the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (G1). She saw off Commissioning , Tahiyra , and The Platinum Queen .

The recipient of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit for 2022 was Alpinista's owner/breeder Kirsten Rausing. 

Laurent Feniou, managing director of Cartier UK, said: "Baaeed lit up the season with four brilliant victories and he is a worthy recipient of the Cartier Horse of the Year award. We are also thrilled to honor Kirsten Rausing, who has given so much to the industry."