Godolphin grab two Cartier Racing Awards

Godolphin picked up two of flat racing's most prestigious commendations when Grandera and Kazzia triumphed in their respective categories at the 12th Cartier Racing Awards in London on Wednesday.

Grandera was named 'Top Older Horse of the Year' while Kazzia was adjudged 'Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year' during a ceremony which has been created to recognise excellence in the racehorse.

Winners are decided by three separate processes: points earned in pattern races, votes of journalists from The Daily Telegraph, Award of Merit, Racing Post and The Times and also by votes from readers of The Daily Telegraph.

Frankie Dettori, who rode Grandera in all three of his Group One victories this year, received the award on behalf of the stable.

Dettori commented on the Godolphin website: "On behalf of Godolphin, Simon Crisford, Saeed bin Suroor and the staff, I am delighted to accept the award. Grandera is a very quirky character but very talented."

Godolphin have dominated the awards ever-since the stable was first launched in 1994. Balanchine gave them their first-ever Cartier Award when she was declared 'Top three-Year-Old Filly.'

Since then the stable has won 15 Cartier Awards in addition to several Racehorse Owners' Association, Timeform, Horserace Writers' Association, Eclipse and Nashwan awards.

Grandera's victory was Godolphin second successive in the 'Older Horse of the Year' category after Fantastic Light claimed last year's award.

Grandera has had a memorable season this year winning three Group One prizes including the Singapore Cup at Kranji, the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September, when he produced a breathtaking late run to deny Aidan O'Brien's Hawk Wing by a short head.

Grandera, who has already raced in six countries this year, is due to race again at the Group One level in the Hong Kong Cup in December.

Kazzia's season was equally memorable. The German-bred filly won the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket by a neck and then she became the first filly for 12 years to win the first two British fillies' Classics when won the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom Downs in June.

She was beaten in the Yorkshire Oaks, the final leg of the triple crown, but bounced back to win the Grade One Flower Bowl Invitational at Belmont Park in September. In her last start in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf she finished sixth.

John Ferguson, who accepted 'Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year' award said: "On behalf of the Maktoum family, I would like to thank Cartier for this wonderful award for a gorgeous filly.

"To win the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks was really special and, after a bit of a hiccup in the Yorkshire Oaks, to come back and win the Flower Bowl in America was a great tribute to Saeed bin Suroor and his wonderful team. Thank you very much indeed."

Kazzia has retired to stud with an overall career record of five wins from seven starts.

Irish wonder-horse Rock of Gibraltar, who retired earlier this week after a record-breaking season, was named 'Cartier Horse of the Year.'

Trained by Aiden O'Brien and jointly owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and Sue Magnier, Rock of Gibraltar won a record seven consecutive Group Ones before he was eventually beaten in the Breeders' Cup.

'The Rock' also won the 'Cartier Three-year-old Colt' award while O'Brien's Hold That Tiger was named 'Top Two-year-old Colt.'

Another Irish horse Vinnie Roe won the 'Stayer's Award' while France claimed a share of the honours when the Pascal Bary-trained Six Perfections was adjudged the 'Top Two-year-old Filly of the Year.'

The Daily Telegraph 'Award of Merit' when to the late Prince Khalid Abdullah.

The winners

* Two-year-old Colt: Hold That Tiger. * Two-year-old Filly: Six Perfections. * Three-year-old Colt: Rock of Gibraltar. * Three-year-old Filly: Kazzia. * Stayer: Vinnie Roe. * Sprinter: Continent. * Older Horse: Grandera. * Horse of the Year: Rock of Gibraltar. * Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Prince Khalid Abdulla. * Cartier Special Award: Tony McCoy.