City of Troy, Charyn, Kyprios, Goliath. Anmaat, economy or bluestocking? Daily Telegraph readers now have the opportunity to have their say on the outcome of the 34th edition of the Cartier Awards, including the most prestigious distinction of the flat season, that of Horse of the Year.
With the notable exceptions of the Japan Cup and Hong Kong, the Northern Hemisphere’s flat year is all but over and it’s time to determine the European champions after a brilliant performance. Breeders’ Cup during which a number of two-year-old Irish horses and older British horses put forward their claims.
The only human award at the Cartier Awards ceremony, which will be held at the Dorchester on Wednesday November 20, is the Daily Telegraph Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement, which last year was won by Jeff Smithhas already been decided and will be announced in the evening.
But all eight equine categories are still up for grabs. Horses have accumulated points for their performances in Pattern races throughout the season, but these represent only 30 percent of the total when it comes to selecting winners. Readers’ votes Telegraph And Running station amount to 35 percent, as do the points awarded by a committee of experts, so there is still everything to play for.
Geldings eligible for Horse of the Year
Unlike the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, geldings are, along with foals, eligible for the Horse of the Year, Two-year-old Colt, Three-year-old Colt, Sprinter and Stayer titles.
Although a few categories – Kyprios in the Stayers, Lake Victoria in the two-year-old fillies, for example – resemble single-horse races, the rest are open, so your opinion on who is best from a shortlist of 10 could be crucial.
Points accrued in races for these awards were initially created to not only reward thoroughbred excellence, but also take into account the number of races a horse races during the season, which is perhaps also a factor to consider when selecting your idea of the best.
Voting closes at noon on Tuesday and readers whose votes match each category winner will receive a hat with a chance to win a Cartier Prize. To vote go to www.cartierracingawards.co.uk
