Goldikova named Cartier Horse of the Year

Famous for an electric burst of speed that none of her rivals possess,

Goldikova is the darling of European racing and is the first horse to receive

the Cartier Older Horse Award more than once.

In the outstanding Cartier Horse of the Year category, Goldikova dominated

over Derby S. (Eng-G1) and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) hero WORKFORCE (GB)

(King's Best), triple Group 1-winning miler Canford Cliffs (Tagula), sensational

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. (G1) victor Harbinger, who had to retire

after that race following an injury, and Twice Over (GB) (Observatory),

successful in the Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) and Champion S. (Eng-G1).

Goldikova took the spoils in the Cartier Older Horse category from Harbinger,

Twice Over, this season's triple Group 1 winner Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB])

and Juddmonte International S. (Eng-G1) winner Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo

[Ire]).

FRANKEL (Galileo [Ire]) maintained his unbeaten status with a brilliant

victory in a hot renewal of the Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1) and clearly gained the

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt Award from Middle Park S. (Eng-G1) and Prix Morny

(Fr-G1) winner Dream Ahead (Diktat), Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1) victor

Casamento (Shamardal), Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Fr-G1) winner Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj)

and Vincent O'Brien National S. (Ire-G1) hero Pathfork (Distorted Humor).

Dual Group 1 winner MISTY FOR ME (Galileo [Ire]) saw off strong rivalry to

clinch the Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Award from Cheveley Park S.

(Eng-G1) winner Hooray (Invincible Spirit), Fillies' Mile (Eng-G1) heroine White

Moonstone (Dynaformer), Debutante S. (Ire-G2) winner Laughing Lashes (Mr.

Greeley) and Memory (Danehill Dancer), successful in the Cherry Hinton S.

(Eng-G2).

STARSPANGLEDBANNER (Choisir) landed from Australia in the spring and mopped

up England's high summer sprints and gains the Cartier Champion Sprinter Award.

Speedy competition came from King's Stand S. (Eng-G1) winner Equiano

(Acclamation), Markab (Green Desert), who took the Haydock Sprint Cup (Eng-G1),

shock Nunthorpe S. (Eng-G1) scorer Sole Power (Kyllachy) and the fast filly Lady

of the Desert (Rahy).

RITE OF PASSAGE (Giant's Causeway) made just one appearance on the Flat this

year but impressed enough when winning the Gold Cup (Eng-G1) to pip Melbourne

Cup (Aus-G1) winner Americain (Dynaformer) and dual Group 1 hero Gentoo (Loup

Solitaire) in the Cartier Champion Stayer Award, followed by Irish St Leger

(Ire-G1) victor Sans Frontieres (Galileo [Ire]) and classy French stayer Celtic

Celeb (Peintre Celebre).

Richard Hannon, the outstanding trainer who clinched a second British

trainers' title at the end of a remarkable 2010 season, has been voted this

year's Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit winner. The award 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 12 months.

The list of past winners of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit

is as follows: John Oxx, Sheikh Mohmmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Niarchos

Family, Peter Willett, Henry Cecil, David and Patricia Thompson, Lord Oaksey,

Prince Khalid Abdulla, John Magnier, His Highness the Aga Khan, Peter Walwyn,

the Head Family, Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Frankie Dettori, John Dunlop, the

Marquess of Hartington, Francois Boutin, Lester Piggott and Henri Chalhoub.

The highly-coveted horse awards were determined by points earned in Pattern

races during 2010, combined with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists

headed by Brough Scott, plus votes from readers of the Racing Post and

The Daily Telegraph, a system that over the years has accurately rewarded

supreme excellence.

The Cartier Racing Awards were established in 1991 to recognize the

achievements of racehorses in Europe.