Kingman tops the 2014 Cartier Awards
Tonight at the Dorchester Hotel in London, England, the highest honors in European Racing were presented. The 24th annual Cartier Racing Awards celebrated seven outstanding horses in eight divisions and one person for their accomplishments, as European racing completed another excellent season. Here are the worthy recipients:
Horse Of The Year & Three-Year-Old Colt - Kingman
Following in the large hoofprints of his stablemate Frankel, Kingman came just one placing from retiring a perfect 8-for-8 in his career. His only defeat came this year when second in the English 2,000 Guineas, but that loss was more than made up for with smashing victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James's Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, and Jacques le Marois. The four Group 1 wins in succession more than proved the son of Invincible Spirit’s standing as the best miler in Europe.
Older Horse - Noble Mission
Speaking of Frankel, 2014 was the year that his full brother moved out of his shadow and into the light. Noble Mission collected Group 1 stakes in England, Ireland, and France this year, but it was in his final start of the season that clinched his place as the finest older horse in Europe. The five-year-old defeated a top notch field in the Champion Stakes, a race his brother won two years earlier, turning away Al Kazeem in a thrilling stretch drive. Like Kingman, Noble Mission was owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah
Three-Year-Old Filly - Taghrooda
Defeating older males in a race as important as the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a special accomplishment, and that alone could have been enough for Taghrooda to claim top honors in Europe this year. The daughter of the great Sea The Stars did more than that, though. She also won the Investec Oaks at Epsom Downs in only her third lifetime start and confirmed her class with an excellent third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to close out her season.
Two-Year-Old Colt - Gleneagles
The Aidan O’Brien trained colt was dominant in Ireland with four consecutive wins culminating with the Group 1 National Stakes. Only a questionable disqualification in France stopped the son of Galileo from finishing his juvenile season on a five race win streak. The best two-year-old in Europe this year should also be one to watch for next year’s Classics.
Two-Year-Old Filly - Tiggy Wiggy
The daughter of Kodiac began her career in March, and did not finish her season until she had run in eight races, seven of them stakes. Trained by Richard Hannon, the bay filly won six times, and finished second twice, with her biggest win coming in her season finale when she won the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Although she never ran past six furlongs, it’s clear she accomplished enough for a championship.
Stayer - Leading Light
A Classic winner at three, Leading Light is a horse that just starts to get going after twelve furlongs. In a competitive division, the son of Montjeu won the award as best stayer with a three race winning streak in mid-season. The winning streak was highlighted by a big victory at Royal Ascot in the 2 ½ mile, Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup, leaving his top competition for the stayer award, Brown Panther, back in third.
Sprinter - Sole Power
Wise Dan was not the only gelding still going strong at the age of seven in 2014, as Sole Power edged out his stablemate Slade Power for Europe’s best sprinter. Like Leading Light, his mid-season winning streak carried the day. His year was highlighted by a second consecutive victory in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, which was followed by a win in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, both of which are Group 1, five furlong affairs.
Last but not least, the special Award of Merit was given to Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his massive contributions to racing and breeding over the last four decades. Congratulations to all the winners!