Dubai: Dual Group 1 winner Muhaarar has stormed into contention for three Cartier Awards following his battling victory in the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket at the weekend.

Owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, the three-year-old son of Oasis Dream holds sway over his rivals in the Sprinter division, while also vying for the prestigious Horse Of The Year Award and the equally high-status Three-Year-Old Colt prize.

Twelve months ago, Shaikh Hamdan was honoured with the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in recognition for his extensive contribution to the sport of horse racing.

The Horse of the Year Award has been won in recent years by top class horses like the unbeaten Frankel and back-to-back Arc de Triomphe sensation Treve, while famous winners of the colt’s honour include Sea The Stars (2009), Galileo (2001) and Lammtarra (1995).

Muhaarar has earned 72 points in the division, which is headed by dual 2,000 Guineas scorer Gleneagles (128) and Epsom Derby (G1) phenomenon Golden Horn (112). Others in contention include French star Solow (104), Legatissimo (88), Al Kazeem (72) and Ervedya (72).

Muhaarar followed up a stunning victory in the inaugural Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot with a second Group 1 success at six furlongs in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday, getting up on the line to beat long-shot Tropics by a nose.

Trained by Charlie Hills, the Shadwell-bred colt has 64 points in the Cartier Sprinter category and 72 in the race for Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt division as a result of his success over seven furlongs in the Group 3 AON Greenham Stakes at Newbury in April.

Gleneagles, trained by Aidan O’Brien, is a dominant presence in both the Horse Of The Year and Three-Year-Old Colt categories following the latest standings, thanks to his Group 1 victories in the English and Irish Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Godolphin’s Territories (64), runner-up to Gleneagles in the English 2,000 Guineas, boosted the form of the Newmarket Classic with an impressive come-from-behind success for trainer Andre Fabre in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on Sunday.

Gleneagles can solidify his position when he takes on his elders in the mile Group 1 £1 million (Dh5.75 million) Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 29. His rivals include the Freddy Head-trained Solow, who comfortably heads the Older Horse category after three Group 1 wins this season.

Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, said: “This year’s three-year-olds already look to be an outstanding group, with Golden Horn and Muhaarar having recently proved themselves against top older opposition.

“There are going to be more fascinating clashes between the generations over the coming weeks including in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.”