The Cartier Awards 2010

- 25/08/2010

MAKFI DELIVERS POTENT CARTIER RACING AWARDS REMINDER

Makfi emphasised that he is anything but a one-race wonder with a sublime victory in the Group One Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le Buffard Jacques le Marois over a mile at Deauville on August 15, a success that sees him re-emerge as an exciting contender for Cartier Racing Awards honours.

The Mikel Delzangles-trained three-year-old was a surprise winner of the first British Classic, the Group One 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May, before losing his unbeaten tag when seventh to Canford Cliffs in the Group One St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot a month later. Makfi was found to be out of sorts after that defeat and, following a period of recuperation, exhibited improved form in France to defeat the great mare Goldikova with fellow crack miler Paco Boy back in third. That smooth two and a half-length triumph over the dual Breeder's Cup Mile heroine on very soft ground raises the Dubawi colt to 88 points in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt category and another performance like that would certainly see him challenge for the coveted Cartier Horse Of The Year award at the season’s end.

The Cartier Racing Awards recognise excellence in horseracing and the awards are the sport's equivalent of the Oscars. They are determined by points earned in Pattern races combined with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists headed by Brough Scott, as well as votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph, a system which over the years has accurately rewarded supreme excellence.

The only non-equine Award is The Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit is for the person or persons who, in the opinion of the special 18-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past twelve months.

European horseracing's most prestigious accolades will be presented on November 16th, during a glittering ceremony at London's Dorchester Hotel. The evening is hosted by Cartier's racing consultant, Harry Herbert and the Awards are presented by Arnaud Bamberger, Managing Director of Cartier UK.

Harry Herbert, Cartier's racing consultant, commented today: "Makfi's victory over Goldikova and Paco Boy was sensational, as was the unheralded Sole Power's stunning York success. Such races reaffirm what depth there is to the top quality pool of horses we are seeing in action this season in Europe.

"The Cartier Racing Awards are all about rewarding excellence and each week we seem to be seeing performances that hit that level. York offered four days of excellent sport and Deauville continues to offer a feast of top-class racing.

"As we savour what is left of the summer and look forward to the big autumn targets, the excitement and the competition can only intensify which is a thrilling prospect."

CARTIER AWARDS 2010 LATEST POINTS STANDINGS
(up to and including August 22, 2010)

Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt
CANFORD CLIFFS - 140
DICK TURPIN - 104
LOPE DE VEGA - 98
CAPE BLANCO - 88
MAKFI - 88

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly
SNOW FAIRY - 112
SPECIAL DUTY - 98
MUSIC SHOW - 74
SARAFINA - 64
JOANNA - 60

Cartier Older Horse
GOLDIKOVA - 112
STARSPANGLEDBANNER - 112
BYWORD - 92
HARBINGER - 80
TWICE OVER - 80

Cartier Sprinter
STARSPANGLEDBANNER - 112
EQUIANO - 72
REGAL PARADE - 40
SOLE POWER - 33
BORDERLESCOTT - 32

Cartier Stayer
RITE OF PASSAGE - 48
AGE OF AQUARIUS - 28
ILLUSTRIOUS BLUE - 26
PURPLE MOON - 24
MANIFEST - 20

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt
ZOFFANY - 40
APPROVE - 38
DREAM AHEAD - 32
KING TORUS - 32
LIBRANNO - 32

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly
MEMORY - 24
HOORAY - 20
LAUGHING LASHES - 20
MAQAASID - 18
MARGOT DID - 16