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Charyn's masterclass in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot has propelled him to the summit of this year's Cartier Horse of the Year standings with 192 points, overtaking Arc heroine Bluestocking (152).
The Roger Varian-trained star's third Group One triumph of 2024 has strengthened his bid to join an illustrious list of previous Cartier Horse of the Year winners, including Enable (2018), Frankel (2012), and most recently Alpinista (2022).
Kyprios, last year's Cartier Stayer Award recipient, has amassed 168 points following his dominant display in the Gr.1 Long Distance Cup. The Aidan O'Brien warrior's unbeaten run in 2024 makes him favourite to retain his divisional crown.
Godolphin's emerging talents are leading the charge in both two-year-old categories. Shadow Of Light (72) has surged to the fore in the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt division after his historic Gr.1 Middle Park-Dewhurst double, a feat achieved only once before in four decades.
In the fillies' category, unbeaten Desert Flower (48) has emerged as a serious challenger to current leader Lake Victoria (72) following her emphatic Gr.1 Fillies' Mile success.
The Cartier Racing Awards, established in 1991 to celebrate excellence in European horseracing, will mark their 34th ceremony at London's Dorchester Hotel on November 20. The prestigious awards combine point-scoring in Pattern races with expert opinion from racing journalists and public votes.
"These awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in European racing," says Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK. "The competition this year has been particularly compelling."
The close battle in the sprinting division sees Bradsell leading with 80 points, while Champions Day victor Kind Of Blue has rocketed into contention. In the Three-Year-Old Colt category, City Of Troy maintains his advantage with 144 points despite missing Champions Day.
Previous Horse of the Year recipients reflect the pantheon of racing greats, including Frankel (2011, 2012), Golden Horn (2015), and Enable (2018, 2019), highlighting the prestigious nature of these awards in marking exceptional achievement in thoroughbred racing.
The recent Champions Day performances have added intrigue to several categories, with the final major races of the European season likely to prove decisive in determining this year's recipients.