Enable storms to Oaks glory
Enable storms to Oaks glory

Enable lands Cartier top award


Enable was named the Cartier Horse of the Year at the 27th annual awards on Tuesday night.

John Gosden's charge recorded five consecutive Group One victories during a fantastic season namely the Investec Oaks, Darley Irish Oaks, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, Darley Yorkshire Oaks and Europe's most valuable race, the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly.

Enable was announced as Cartier Horse Of The Year at the 27th annual Cartier Racing Awards

Click here for Frankie Dettori audio interview

She also took the honours in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Award from Winter, Lady Aurelia and Roly Poly, while her stable companion Cracksman, was the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt following his impressive seven-length success in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot in October. He saw off challenges from Harry Angel, Churchill and Barney Roy.

Click here for John Gosden audio interview

Aidan O'Brien enjoyed an incredible year, sending out 27 top grade winners worldwide. He was responsible for the 2017 Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt, U S Navy Flag, and the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly, Happily, while Order Of St George scooped the Cartier Stayer Award for the second year in succession.

U S Navy Flag became the first horse since Diesis in 1982 to win both the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes and the Darley Dewhurst Stakes. He took the honour ahead of stable companions Saxon Warrior and Mendelssohn, plus Roaring Lion.

2017 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes - US Navy Flag - Racing UK

Happily was also a dual winner at Group One level and she captured the Cartier Award from the other three nominees Clemmie, Laurens and Heartache.

Order Of St George maintained a high level of form throughout the year, headed by a nine-length success in the Group One Comer Group Irish St Leger, but faced strong opposition from Big Orange for the Cartier Stayer Award, with Stradivarius and Vazirabad following on.

Harry Angel was the winner of the 2017 Cartier Sprinter Award having landed Newmarket's Darley July Cup and on heavy ground in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock Park. He finished on top from Marsha, Battaash and Lady Aurelia.

Ulysses was the Cartier Older Horse for 2017, after registering a Group One ten-furlong double in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park and the Juddmonte International at York, though it was a close-run affair with star miler Ribchester. Highland Reel and Talismanic the other two nominees.

2017 Juddmonte International Stakes - Ulysses - Racing UK

Ulysses' trainer Sir Michael Stoute was recognised at the 2017 Cartier Racing Awards as he received the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit.

Click here for Sir Michael Stoute audio interview

Harry Herbert, Cartier's Racing Consultant, commented: "It has been another tremendous year in European horseracing and I would like to extend congratulations to all the winners at the 2017 Cartier Racing Awards.

"Enable enjoyed five commanding victories at G1 level and her performances, particularly at Ascot and Chantilly, mark her out as a filly of rare distinction. She is a very appropriate winner of Cartier Horse of the Year.

"Similarly her stable companion Cracksman was an outstanding winner at Ascot in the autumn, capping a superb season for her trainer John Gosden.

"The prospect of Enable, Cracksman and Harry Angel, the Cartier Sprinter for 2017, all retuning next year is a mouth-watering prospect. Of course, 2017 will be remembered as the year when Aidan O'Brien sent out a record 27 G1 winners and he and the Coolmore team are rewarded with Cartier Racing Awards for U S Navy Flag, Happily and Order Of St George.

"Sir Michael Stoute has been a master of his profession for over 40 years and he is a most worthy recipient of the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit. His handling of Ulysses in 2017 was outstanding and sees that colt named as Cartier Older Horse."

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