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| Staff Writer |
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Bluestocking, the brilliant Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine, heads a stellar cast of nominees for the 34th Cartier Racing Awards, with the ceremony set for London's Dorchester Hotel on Wednesday evening.
Multiple Group One-winning miler Charyn and Gr.1 Betfred Derby victor City Of Troy are amongst the leading lights vying for the coveted Horse of the Year crown, with outstanding stayer Kyprios completing an illustrious quartet.
Previous Horse of the Year winners include the mighty Frankel (2011, 2012), who went on to secure eight Group One victories, and the remarkable Enable (2017, 2019), who blazed a trail with her historic Arc double.
The juvenile division sees Henri Matisse heading the colts' category after his impressive autumn campaign, while Desert Flower leads the fillies' nominations following her Group success.
In the sprinting division, Asfoora faces stiff competition from Bradsell, with both speedsters having lit up the summer's major festivals.
The stayers' category features an intriguing battle between Double Major and defending champion Kyprios, who returned to winning ways in spectacular fashion this term.
The three-year-old divisions showcase depth and quality, with Derby hero City Of Troy facing Calandagan in the colts' section, while Kalpana heads the fillies' nominations after her classic campaign.
European racing's powerhouse stables are well represented, with Aidan O'Brien and Charlie Appleby featuring multiple nominees across the categories.
The prestigious Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit, determined by a select panel of 16 racing experts, will honour outstanding contribution to European racing and breeding.
Laurent Feniou, Cartier's Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to celebrate another outstanding year of European racing and to recognise the achievements of these exceptional equine athletes. The 34th Cartier Racing Awards promises to be a magnificent occasion."
The glittering ceremony, a highlight of racing's social calendar, will see eight equine awards presented alongside the Award of Merit, celebrating excellence across all ages and distances in European racing.