CARTIER AWARDS MEDIA RELEASE OCTOBER 8 2009

Sea The Stars wins the Arc 2009

STARS ILLUMINATES EUPHORIC LONGCHAMP TO SET CARTIER RECORD

SPECIAL DUTY AND AWZAAN LAY CLAIM TO CARTIER JUVENILE AWARDS


Paris, “La Ville-Lumiere”, basked in the after-glow of Sea The Stars following the brilliant colt’s dazzling triumph in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, October 4.



Debate will rage as to whether Sea The Stars is the greatest thoroughbred to grace the turf but the undeniable fact is that the exceptional three-year-old has not only become the first horse to win the stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas, Investec Derby and Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, he has also accrued more points than any other horse in the history of the Cartier Awards.



The Cape Cross colt, whose dam, Urban Sea, won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1993, has a remarkable 272 points for his exploits in Pattern races this year, being unbeaten in six races all at Group One level and including two Classics.



The Cartier Racing Awards recognise excellence in horseracing. Now in their 19th year, the awards are the sport’s equivalent of the Oscars and are determined by points earned in Pattern races combined at the end of the season 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 went to post for the Group One Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a huge weight of expectation resting upon his powerful shoulders. The John Oxx-trained colt faced his greatest test as he sought to win a Group One contest for the sixth successive month, having begun his campaign in May. With victories in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, Juddmonte International Stakes and Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes also in the bag, Sea The Stars had already established himself as the dominant force in Britain and Ireland and was seeking to augment his status against the best that Europe could muster.



Veteran jockey Mick Kinane strained his biceps to settle an exuberant Sea The Stars in the early stages of the mile and a half contest but by the time the field turned for home, the colt was galloping to a fluent rhythm. With the race approaching its climax, Kinane asked his charge to quicken and the colt responded with a rapid extension of his flowing stride that swept him to an historic victory that illuminated the Bois de Boulogne and left exultant racegoers grasping for adequate superlatives.



Sea The Stars now holds a seemingly unassailable advantage in both the Cartier Horse of The Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt categories.

The great Yeats (56) made his final racecourse appearance at Longchamp on Sunday when contesting the Group One Prix du Cadran. The only horse to have won the Ascot Gold Cup four times, Aidan O’Brien’s charge ran with credit but was beaten into third behind the Oxx-trained Alandi (58), who now leaps to the head of the Cartier Stayer category.



A thrilling Sunday in Paris also saw Fleeting Spirit (96) extend her lead in the Cartier Sprinter division, although Jeremy Noseda’s filly had to settle for the runner-up berth in the Group One Prix de l’Abbaye behind Total Gallery (40), who represented the Stan Moore stable. Nunthorpe Stakes winner Borderlescott (43) was approaching top gear and closing on Total Gallery when he was hampered and lost momentum at a crucial stage. The popular gelding finished an unlucky sixth.



There was plenty of action in the Cartier Two-Year-Old divisions last week with Group One contests at Newmarket on Friday and Longchamp on Sunday.



Special Duty (64) crossed the English Channel from Chantilly to give French trainer Criquette Head-Maarek her fourth victory in the Group One Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. The filly is now top of the Cartier Two-Year-Old Fillies’ division after drawing clear of the Clive Brittain-trained Misheer, who is level on 40 points with her stablemate, the Group One Fillies’ Mile winner Hibaayeb. The O’Brien-trained Group Two winner Lillie Langtry (36) captured the lucrative Timeform Fillies’ 800 at Newmarket on Saturday.



Awzaan looked impressive when winning the Group One Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday. Mark Johnston’s charge is now level on 48 points with the O’Brien-trained Group One Phoenix Stakes winner Alfred Nobel and Group One Prix Morny victor Arcano, trained by Brian Meehan. Closing on that trio is the Aga Khan-owned colt Siyouni (44), victorious in the Group One Prix Jean Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on Sunday.



Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner Mastercraftsman warmed up for the Breeders’ Cup with victory in the Group Three Diamond Stakes at Dundalk on Friday, October 2. The Ballydoyle colt is second to Sea The Stars in the Cartier Horse of the Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt standings with 136 points. Fame And Glory (112) is third in the latter category, while stablemate Rip Van Winkle has 92 points.



Stanjames.com 1,000 Guineas heroine Ghanaati (120) remains top of the Cartier Three-Year-Old Fillies category after finishing second to Sahpresa in the Group One Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. Sariska has 97 points, one more than Stacelita, seventh in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.



Goldikova (104) suffered a shock defeat when third to Varenar in Saturday’s Group One Prix de la Foret at Longchamp. The brilliant filly still heads the Cartier Older Horse category ahead of Fleeting Spirit, Arc disappointment Vision d’Etat (92) and the retired Aqlaam (76).



Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, commented today: “Sea The Stars proved again on Sunday in Paris that he is an exceptional talent and an extraordinary champion. As with Zarkava and Dylan Thomas before him, Sea The Stars’ historic victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe looks almost certain to have clinched the coveted Cartier Horse of the Year award.



“There is always a buzz around at this time of year and, Sea The Stars aside, the two-year-olds are feeding that excitement. Special Duty, Awzaan, Lillie Langtry, Siyouni and Rosanara all displayed their Cartier Racing Awards credentials at the weekend.



“With Champions’ Day at Newmarket still to come and the possibility of Sea The Stars heading to California for the Breeders’ Cup, the season still has plenty more highlights before the Cartier Racing Awards are announced in London on November 17.”



For more information, please contact Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant (01488 669166), Sarah Carlsen of Cartier (020 7408 5740) or Mark Popham of Racenews (020 7704 0326)





THE CARTIER AWARDS 2009 LATEST POINTS

(points earned in Pattern races up to and including October 4, 2009)





CARTIER HORSE OF THE YEAR

SEA THE STARS - 272

MASTERCRAFTSMAN - 136

GHANAATI - 120

FAME AND GLORY - 112

GOLDIKOVA - 104





CARTIER TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY

SPECIAL DUTY - 64

HIBAAYEB - 40

MISHEER - 40

LILLIE LANGTRY - 36





CARTIER TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT

ALFRED NOBEL - 48

ARCANO - 48

AWZAAN - 48

SIYOUNI - 44





CARTIER THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY

GHANAATI - 120

SARISKA - 97

STACELITA - 96

ELUSIVE WAVE - 78





CARTIER THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT

SEA THE STARS - 272

MASTERCRAFTSMAN - 136

FAME AND GLORY - 112

RIP VAN WINKLE - 92





CARTIER OLDER HORSE

GOLDIKOVA - 104

FLEETING SPIRIT - 96

VISION D’ETAT - 92

AQLAAM - 76





CARTIER STAYER

ALANDI - 58

YEATS - 56

PATKAI - 40

SCHIAPARELLI - 38





CARTIER SPRINTER

FLEETING SPIRIT - 96

ART CONNOISSEUR - 48

BORDERLESCOTT - 43

KINGS APOSTLE - 40

TOTAL GALLERY - 40





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



END