On Wednesday, November 19th, the 35th Cartier Racing Awards showcased a truly global celebration of horse racing, featuring top horses from France, Ireland, and Australia. Qalandagan was honored as Cartier Horse of the Year, Coolmore claimed four different awards, and Asfora took home the Cartier Sprinter Award.
With a career spanning over six decades in horse racing as a jockey, journalist, broadcaster, and author, Brough Scott was awarded the 2025 Cartier/Daily Telegraph Lifetime Achievement Award, receiving a standing ovation during the ceremony held at London’s Dorchester Hotel.
Qalandagan became the fourth horse bred by the Aga Khan Stud to earn the Cartier Horse of the Year title, following in the footsteps of Deirami (1999), Dalahani (2003), and Zarkava (2008), and the first since the passing of His Highness the Aga Khan IV earlier this year. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Qalandagan had an impressive season, triumphing over elite competitors in the King George VI Stakes, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the QIPCO Champion Stakes—a feat only Brigadier Gerard achieved by winning both races in the same season.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan expressed how special the award was, praising the teamwork behind Qalandagan’s success, including trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, racing manager Nemone Raus, jockey Michael Barzalona, and everyone involved at the stud and stables. Reflecting on the season’s highlight, she was emotionally moved by Dalis’s win at The Arc and paid tribute to her horse’s lineage.
Qalandagan also secured the Cartier Old Horse Award, with Graffard sharing his joy in attending the awards for the first time and highlighting the horse’s outstanding performance in the Champion Stakes. He noted that Qalandagan is now headed to Japan for a challenging next race.
Brough Scott’s dedication to horse racing was celebrated with the Lifetime Achievement Award, marking his influential role as a television personality, co-founder of the Racing Post, and renowned journalist and author. In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged his luck and passion for the sport, reminiscing about iconic horses and memorable racing moments throughout his life.
Horses trained by Aidan O’Brien for the Coolmore partnership dominated the young horse categories, with Delacroix earning the Cartier 3-Year-Old Stallion Award and Minnie Hawk receiving the 3-Year-Old Filly Award. Other notable winners included Gstaad, who took the Cartier 2-Year-Old Colt Award, and Precise, who won the Cartier 2-Year-Old Filly Award, both celebrated for their outstanding performances.
Australian-bred Asfora became the third horse from Australia to win the Cartier Prix Sprinter, following in the footsteps of Black Caviar and Star-Spangled Banner. Trainer Henry Dwyer and owner Hayaf El Fakhry expressed their pride and gratitude, with jockey Oisin Murphy highlighting Asfora’s remarkable temperament and success in Europe this year.
British-trained Trollerman was the only British horse to win an award, claiming the Cartier Stayer title after an exceptional European campaign. Godolphin’s Hugh Anderson praised the horse’s development and expressed gratitude to owners and trainers for their efforts.
The event will be featured on Sky Sports Racing on Sunday, November 23, starting at 4pm Japan time.
The Cartier Racing Awards, established in 1991, honor excellence in horse racing with eight horse categories and a Lifetime Achievement Award, determined through a combination of race points, expert opinions, and public votes.
Fan Take: This year’s Cartier Racing Awards highlighted the truly international nature of modern horse racing, celebrating remarkable talent across continents. For fans, it underscores the sport’s enduring global appeal and the exciting potential for future champions to emerge from diverse backgrounds, fueling passion and competitive spirit worldwide.
