Wednesday, June 24, 2009
ROYAL ASCOT SHAPES LATEST CARTIER AWARDS STANDINGS
A thrilling five days of outstanding sport at Royal Ascot last week saw Mastercraftsman and Ghanaati throw down their respective gauntlets to the brilliant dual Classic hero Sea The Stars in what, even at such an early juncture, is shaping up to be an engrossing contest for the 2009 Cartier Horse of the Year title.
The Cartier Racing Awards, now in their 19th year, are horseracing’s equivalent of the Oscars and are determined by points earned in Pattern races combined with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists, as well as votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph.
European horseracing’s most prestigious accolades will be presented during a glittering ceremony before invited guests at Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair, London, on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.
Sea The Stars set the standard with victories in the stanjames.com 2000 Guineas and the Investec Derby, the first horse to win both those Classics since Nashwan in 1989, but the John Oxx-trained colt needs to revisit those heights after Ghanaati and last year’s Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt Award winner Mastercraftsman equalled his 96-point haul.
The brilliantly tough Giant’s Causeway was crowned Cartier Horse of the Year in 2000 and there is more than a touch of the “Iron Horse” about the current star of Ballydoyle, Mastercraftsman, given his battling victory in the Group One St James’s Palace Stakes on Tuesday, June 16.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge, previously victorious in the boylesports.com Irish 2,000 Guineas, was headed inside the final furlong of the mile contest as Delegator (56) struck the front. But Mastercraftsman was not to be outdone and the battling grey rallied to secure victory by a neck.
Ghanaati is ensuring that the boys do not have things all their own way. The Barry Hills-trained filly was entitled to improve on her fine victory in the stanjames.com 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May and improve she did.
The Classic winner accelerated to an impressive victory in the Group One Coronation Stakes over a mile on June 19, defeating top-class rivals that included Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Elusive Wave (62 points) and last year’s champion Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly Rainbow View.
Investec Oaks scorer Sariska has 57 points, while runaway Prix de Diane winner Stacelita (64), unbeaten in five outings, is second in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly category after her scintillating performance at Chantilly on June 14.
Yeats may have 48 points to make up on the trio of three-year-old pace-setters at this stage but only a fool would bet against the great stayer being in the shake-up for Cartier Horse of the Year honours come the final reckoning.
Yeats made history on June 19 by becoming the first horse to win the Gold Cup for a fourth time. His dominance in defeating Patkai (40) by three and a half lengths, with old rival Geordieland (28) a further 15 lengths adrift in third, suggests that the eight-year-old could set another benchmark in becoming the first horse to win a Cartier Racing Award in four consecutive years. He was Cartier Stayer of the Year for 2008, 2007 and 2006.
The Eric Libaud-trained Vision D’Etat (84) produced a fantastic run from last to first in the Group One Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on June 17. Last year’s Prix du Jockey Club winner has matured into a four-year-old to be reckoned with and leads the way in the Cartier Older Horse category.
Paco Boy is another Royal Ascot winner with designs on that particular award and his victory in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes on June 16 took his tally to 52 points. Having proved conclusively that he stays a mile at the top level, Richard Hannon’s charge may now take on the speed merchants in the Group One Darley July Cup over six furlongs on July 10.
If Paco Boy does indeed line up on Newmarket’s July Course for that third British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, he could come up against the explosive Australian sprinter Scenic Blast (32) who was most impressive when winning the Group One King’s Stand Stakes over five furlongs at the Royal Meeting.
Also likely to take his place in the Darley July Cup field is the horse that currently tops the Cartier Sprinter division, Art Connoisseur (48). Michael Bell’s charge returned to the form that saw him win the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2008, as he raced to victory in the Golden Jubilee Stakes on June 20, winning by a neck from the US raider Cannonball (24), the pair clear of their rivals.
Points for the Cartier Two-Year-Old awards will not be released until the top juveniles have seen more action. However, if the performances at Royal Ascot are a true indicator, we can expect plenty from the likes of the impressive Coventry Stakes hero Canford Cliffs, the speedy Norfolk Stakes winner Radiohead and Albany Stakes heroine Habaayib.
Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, commented today: “The season simply gets better! After the awesome achievement of Sea The Stars at Epsom, Royal Ascot has lived right up to its billing, most memorably with Yeats amending the record books in brilliant fashion.
“The Derby winner is clearly not going to have it all his own way with Yeats, Mastercraftsman and Ghanaati on the scene, not to mention the French filly Stacelita, who was almost Zarkava-like in the way she dominated the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.
“With Newmarket’s July Festival up and coming, I’m certain we will see the emergence of more contenders for the 2009 Cartier Racing Awards.”
THE CARTIER AWARDS 2009
(points up to and including 21.6.2009)
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly
GHANAATI 96
STACELITA 64
ELUSIVE WAVE 62
SARISKA 57
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt
MASTERCRAFTSMAN 96
SEA THE STARS 96
LE HAVRE 72
DELEGATOR 56
SILVER FROST 56
Cartier Older Horse
VISION DETAT 84
PACO BOY 52
ASK 48
GLORIA DE CAMPEAO 48
PRESVIS 48
YEATS 48
Cartier Stayer
YEATS 48
PATKAI 40
GEORDIELAND 28
AMERICAIN 17
Cartier Sprinter
ART CONNOISSEUR 48
SCENIC BLAST 32
CANNONBALL 24
TAX FREE 20
UTMOST RESPECT 20
Cartier Horse of the Year
GHANAATI 96
MASTERCRAFTSMAN 96
SEA THE STARS 96
VISION DETAT 84
LE HAVRE 72
Please find a full list of the past winners at the Cartier Racing Awards below.
2008- CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Mastercraftsman
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Rainbow View
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: New Approach
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Zarkava
Cartier Sprinter: Marchand D’Or
Cartier Stayer: Yeats
Cartier Older Horse: Duke Of Marmalade
Cartier Horse of the Year: Zarkava, owned by HH the Aga Khan
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
2007- CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: New Approach
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Natagora
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Authorized
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Peeping Fawn
Cartier Sprinter: Red Clubs
Cartier Stayer: Yeats
Cartier Older Horse: Dylan Thomas
Cartier Horse of the Year: Dylan Thomas, owned by Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: The Niarchos Family
2006 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Teofilo
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Finsceal Beo
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: George Washington
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Mandesha
Cartier Sprinter: Reverence
Cartier Stayer: Yeats
Cartier Older Horse: Ouija Board
Cartier Horse of the Year: Ouija Board, owned by Lord Derby
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Peter Willett
2005 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: George Washington
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Rumplestiltskin
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Hurricane Run
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Divine Proportions
Cartier Sprinter: Avonbridge
Cartier Stayer: Westerner
Cartier Older Horse: Azamour
Cartier Horse of the Year: Hurricane Run, owned by Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Henry Cecil
2004 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Shamardal
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Divine Proportions
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Bago
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ouija Board
Cartier Sprinter: Somnus
Cartier Stayer: Westerner
Cartier Older Horse: Soviet Song
Cartier Horse of the Year: Ouija Board, owned by Lord Derby
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: David & Patricia Thompson
2003 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: One Cool Cat
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Attraction
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Dalakhani
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Russian Rhythm
Cartier Sprinter: Oasis Dream
Cartier Stayer: Persian Punch
Cartier Older Horse: Falbrav
Cartier Horse of the Year: Dalakhani, owned by HH the Aga Khan
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Lord Oaksey
2002 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Hold That Tiger
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Six Perfections
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Rock Of Gibraltar
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Kazzia
Cartier Sprinter: Continent
Cartier Older Horse: Grandera
Cartier Stayer: Vinnie Roe
Cartier Horse of the Year: Rock of Gibraltar, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson & Sue Magnier
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah
Cartier Special Award: Tony McCoy
2001 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Queen's Logic
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Johannesburg
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Banks Hill
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Galileo
Cartier Stayer: Persian Punch
Cartier Sprinter: Mozart
Cartier Older Horse: Fantastic Light
Cartier Horse of the Year: Fantastic Light, owned by Godolphin
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Magnier
2000 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Superstar Leo
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Tobougg
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Petrushka
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Sinndar
Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara
Cartier Sprinter: Nuclear Debate
Older Horse: Kalanisi
Cartier Horse of the Year: Giant’s Causeway, owned by Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor
Cartier Millennium Award of Merit: HM the Queen
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: HH the Aga Khan
1999 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Torgau
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Fasliyev
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ramruma
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Montjeu
Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara
Cartier Sprinter: Stravinsky
Cartier Older Horse: Daylami
Cartier Horse of the Year: Daylami, owned by Godolphin
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Peter Walwyn
1998 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Aljabr
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Bint Allayl
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Dream Well
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Cape Verdi
Cartier Sprinter: Tamarisk
Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara
Cartier Older Horse: Swain
Cartier Horse of the Year: Dream Well, owned by the Niarchos Family
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: the Head Family
1997 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Embassy
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Xaar
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ryafan
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Peintre Celebre
Cartier Stayer: Celeric
Cartier Sprinter: Royal Applause
Cartier Older Horse: Pilsudski
Cartier Horse of the Year: Peintre Celebre, owned by Daniel Wildenstein
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Sir Peter O'Sullevan
1996 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Pas De Reponse
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Bahamian Bounty
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Bosra Sham
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Helissio
Cartier Stayer: Nononito
Cartier Sprinter: Anabaa
Cartier Older Horse: Halling
Cartier Horse of the Year: Helissio, owned by Enrique Sarasola
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Frankie Dettori
1995 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Blue Duster
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Alhaarth
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ridgewood Pearl
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Lammtarra
Cartier Stayer: Double Trigger
Cartier Sprinter: Hever Golf Rose
Cartier Older Horse: Further Flight
Cartier Horse of the Year: Ridgewood Pearl, owned by Mrs Sean Coughlan
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Dunlop
1994 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Gay Gallanta
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Celtic Swing
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Balanchine
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: King's Theatre
Cartier Stayer: Moonax
Cartier Sprinter: Lochsong
Cartier Older Horse: Barathea
Cartier Horse of the Year: Barathea, owned by Sheikh Mohammed
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Marquess of Hartington
1993 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Lemon Souffle
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: First Trump
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Intrepidity
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Commander in Chief
Cartier Stayer: Vintage Crop
Cartier Sprinter: Lochsong
Cartier Older Horse: Opera House
Cartier Horse of the Year: Lochsong, owned by Jeff Smith
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Francois Boutin
1992 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Lyric Fantasy
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Zafonic
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: User Friendly
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Rodrigo De Triano
Cartier Stayer: Drum Taps
Cartier Sprinter: Mr Brooks
Cartier Older Horse: Mr Brooks
Cartier Horse of the Year: User Friendly, owned by Bill Gredley
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Lester Piggott
1991 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Culture Vulture
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Arazi
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Kooyonga
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Suave Dancer
Cartier Stayer: Turgeon
Cartier Sprinter: Sheikh Albadou
Cartier Older Horse: Terimon
Cartier Horse of the Year: Arazi, owned by Allen Paulson & Sheikh Mohammed
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Henri Chalhoub
GOOD VIBRATIONS ARE HAPPENING AT SALISBURY RACECOURSE
Salisbury Racecourse is always awash with good vibrations and those vibes are going to be happening on Friday, July 3, when the UK Beach Boys top the bill live after racing at the Wiltshire venue. But racegoers do not have to wait that long to get around to the racetrack as the Third Family Fun Day of the season takes place this Sunday, June 28.
FAMILY FUN DAY THREE - Sunday, June 28
Trainers often send the best of their young horses to gain experience at Salisbury and the Barry Hills-trained Ouqba became the latest Salisbury graduate to land a major triumph when winning the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 17, having won the Winterthur Life Conditions Stakes at the course in October.
The Family Fun Day fixture on June 28 has a tradition of showcasing such future stars and the £13,500 K J Pike & Sons Ltd Auction Stakes (3.05pm) for two-year-olds over six furlongs has produced some of the best in recent times.
None other than Sir Percy, the 2006 Derby winner, won the race in 2005 en route to being crowned Britain’s unbeaten champion two-year-old. Milk It Mick triumphed in 2003 and went on to victory in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket - a race that Sir Percy also won - before winning at Grade One level in the US as a five-year-old.
The Tom Dascombe-trained Classic Blade won the K J Pike & Sons Ltd Auction Stakes in 2008 and progressed to win the Group Two TNT July Stakes at Newmarket on his next start.
The Family Fun Day provides a fantastic mix of exciting racing and fun activities, entertaining children and parents in equal measure. Children under 16 gain free admission and can participate in an array of fun-packed entertainment including clowns, bouncy castle and face painting.
At 2pm, the seven-race card commences with the £7,250 EBF Blagrave Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs. Norse Dancer won a vintage renewal in 2002, defeating Phoenix Reach by a head. Norse Dancer won the 2004 Group Three Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury and was placed several times in Group One company, while Phoenix Reach won at the highest level in Hong Kong, Dubai and Canada. The 2003 Sovereign Stakes hero Passing Glance landed the 2001 running of the EBF Blagrave Maiden Stakes.
Another of the day’s features is the innovative £10,000 K J Pike & Sons Ltd Seniors’ Sprint Handicap over five furlongs. The race, for six-year-olds and older, has attracted 22 entries, including the popular old stager The Tatling. The Milton Bradley-trained 12-year-old was top-class at his peak, winning the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2004, and is still in great heart after 123 starts.
Also among the entries are the 10-year-olds Pic Up Sticks and Golden Dixie, as well as the 11-year-old Fantasy Believer, winner of the prestigious Portland Handicap and the Listed Rous Stakes in 2006.
The last race of the day is the £4,700 Axminster Carpets Apprentice Handicap over a mile, due off at 5.20pm.
Racegoers who attended the May 3 or June 14 fixtures can get into any enclosure for half price on this day, provided they produce a voucher received on either of the aforementioned dates.
SURF’S UP AT SALISBURY - Friday, July 3
UK Beach Boys are Europe’s number one Beach Boys tribute act and they will be bringing the sounds of the California surf to Salisbury on Friday, July 3, the first of three evening fixtures to be staged at the racecourse that month.
What better way to spend a summer evening than to enjoy six thrilling horse races and then party into the night to favourite hits like Barbara Ann, Good Vibrations, Wouldn’t It Be Nice and many more?
Racing commences at 6.30pm with the £6,000 “Come Shopping at Castlepoint Bournemouth” Maiden Auction Fillies’ Stakes over seven furlongs. The entire card is generously sponsored exclusively by Castlepoint Shopping Park, Bournemouth’s unique retail experience.
The feature race of the night is the 10-furlong “Come Shopping at Castlepoint” Handicap (7.35pm), worth £10,000.
As well as looking forward to the UK Beach Boys’ vibrant set, racegoers can enjoy the benefits of watching the races on the giant screen that is present for all of Salisbury’s race meetings throughout the season. There will also be entertainments for children during racing.
Gates open at 4.30pm and everyone is advised to book tickets in advance for this popular event.
Admission Prices: Day Member £18; Tattersalls Enclosure £11; Course Enclosure £6; Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free and all car parking is free. Tickets can be booked online for a 10% discount at www.salisburyracecourse.co.uk
Salisbury also races this afternoon - Wednesday, June 24 - and on the evenings of Saturday, July 11 (Ladies Evening) and Saturday, July 25 (Utter Madness, the foremost Madness tribute band, will perform).
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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