Juddmonte Farms homebred Frankel, scintillating winner of five starts this year, took home top honors as Cartier Horse of the Year and top 3-year-old during the annual awards ceremony in London, England, Nov. 15.
The son of Galileo—Kind (by Danehill) trained by Henry Cecil, named in honor of the late trainer Bobby Frankel, won the Qipco Two Thousand Guineas, St. James’s Palace Stakes, Qipco Sussex Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, all group I events, and the group III Greenham Stakes.
Undefeated in nine career starts, Frankel was dominated his European challengers throughout the season and was rated atop the World Thoroughbred Rankings throughout the latter part of 2011. His owner and trainer plan to keep him in training in 2012.
The Cartier Awards, honoring Europe’s top horses, were presented before an invited audience of 300 at the Dorchester Hotel.
Honored as top 3-year-old filly was Danedream, a German-bred daughter of Lomitas-Danedrop (by Danehill) who stunned the European racing circuit by winning the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Oct. 2. Owned by Gestut Burg Eberstein and Teruya Yoshida and trained by Peter Schiergen, the filly was bred by Gestut Brummerhof.
The other Cartier Award winners were:
2-Year-Old Colt: Dabirsim, by Hat Trick -Rumored, by Royal Academy; owner, Simon Springer; breeder, Mme L. Monfort; trainer Christophe Ferland
2-Year-Old Filly: Maybe, by Galileo-Sumora, by Danehihll; owners, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier; breeder, Epona Bloodstock; trainer, Aidan O’Brien
Older Horse: Cirrus Des Aigles, 5-year-old gelding by Even Top-Taille de Guepe, by Septieme Ciel; owner, Jean-Claude-Alain Dupouy; breeder, Y. Lelimouzin & B. Deschamps; trainerCorine Barande-Barbe
Stayer: Fame And Glory, 5-year-old horse by Montjeu-Gryada, by Shirley Heights; owners, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Firti Hay; breeder, Ptarmigan Bloodstock & Kirsten Rausing; trainer, Aidan O’Brien
Sprinter: Dream Ahead, 3-year-old colt by Diktat-Land of Dreams, by Cadeaux Generous; owner, Khalifa Dasmal; breeder, Darley; trainer, David Simcock
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Barry Hills
