Dubai: Godolphin, one of the world’s most successful international racing stables, picked up three accolades at the 22nd annual Cartier Racing Awards on Tuesday night.
Nine awards were presented during a glitzy ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel, London, among them the prestigious Racehorse of the Year award, which for the second successive year was claimed by the unbeaten Frankel.
Godolphin collected awards for both the Champion two-year-old colt and filly with Dawn Approach and Certify, and added a third when Colour Vision was named Champion Stayer of the Year.
Trained by Jim Bolger in Ireland Dawn Approach is unbeaten in six career starts. On his most recent start the son of Epsom Derby hero New won the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. He beat off George Vancouver, Kingsbarns, Olympic Glory and Reckless Abandon in the ultra-competitive juvenile colts category. Godolphin had previously won this award in 2004 with Shamardal and Aljabr in 1998.
Certify, who is trained by Emirati handler Mahmoud Al Zarouni at the historic Moulton Paddocks yard in Newmarket, upstaged Flotilla, Rosdhu Queen, Silasol and Sky Lantern to be crowned champion juvenile filly.
Certify became Godolphin’s third winner of the Group One Fillies’ Mile following which she was installed as the new favourite for next year’s 1,000 Guineas.
Ascot Gold Cup scorer Colour Vision held off Opinion Poll, another top Godolphin runner, along with Rite of Passage, Saddler’s Rock and Times Up to triumph in the long-distance category.
One of the night’s most popular winners was the unbeaten Frankel who won the Racehorse of the Year award for the second successive year.
Owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah and trained by Sir Henry Cecil Frankel was retired to stud last month after winning 14 races.
Frankel beat off France’s Cirrus Des Aigles, Nathaniel, Camelot, the best three-year-old in Europe, and top miler Excelebration.
“All of us at Warren Place are thrilled that Frankel’s achievements this year have been recognised with him winning this most prestigious award for the second time running,” Cecil said on Sportinglife.com
“Frankel with his brilliance has been a great ambassador for British Racing and has captured the hearts of so many people, some of whom have never been racing in their lives. Thank you Frankel and to everyone that has voted for him.”
Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, added: “Frankel lit up all our lives with his magnificent performances in 2012 and during the previous two years.
“He is the most successful horse in the 22-year history of the Cartier Racing Awards and that is no surprise given his domination of so many races. Sir Henry Cecil thinks there has never been a better racehorse and tonight we celebrate Frankel’s achievements and those of the team behind him.”
“We have enjoyed a vintage year of racing with thrilling performances from horses of different generations over all distances.
“The Cartier Racing Awards honour those horses who reach the pinnacle of achievement in our wonderful sport and we are set for a memorable evening on November 13 when the winners are revealed.”
Cartier winners are determined by points earned by horses in Pattern races throughout 2012, combined with the opinions of racing journalists and votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph.
