Ace Impact named Cartier Horse of The Year 2023

Ace Impact was awarded the prestigious title of Cartier Horse of the Year at the 33rd Cartier Racing Awards. The announcement was made during a dazzling ceremony held at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Thursday evening.

The son of the 2017 Cartier 3YO Colt Cracksman, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget for Gousserie Racing and Serge Stempniak, has become the first French-trained winner of the prestigious award since Treve in 2013. Ace Impact, who remained unbeaten in six career starts, demonstrated spectacular acceleration in winning the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, beating a stellar field. 

Ace Impact wins the premier equine award ahead of Mostahdaf, Paddington, and Auguste Rodin, who captured the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Juddmonte International. Ace Impact also takes the Cartier 3YO Colt Award, in a category that features Paddington, Auguste Rodin, and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By QIPCO) winner Big Rock. 

Mostahdaf, a Shadwell homebred from the stables of John & Thady Gosden, is named Cartier Older Horse following his victories at Royal Ascot and York. Mostahdaf prevails over Westover and Hukum, who produced one of the races of the year in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes, and Inspiral, who narrowly misses out on a third consecutive Cartier Racing Award. 

Tahiyra, a fifth-generation homebred for the Aga Khan, takes the Cartier 3YO Filly Award following a superb campaign for Dermot Weld that yielded wins in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, and Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes. Warm Heart, Classic heroines Mawj and Blue Rose Cen were also nominated for the award alongside her. 

Shaquille receives the Cartier Sprinter accolade after breathtaking displays in the Commonwealth Cup and Pertemps Network July Cup. Co-bred by his owner Martin Hughes, the Julie Camacho-trained colt comes out on top from Art Power, successful in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint, Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes winner Live In The Dream, and last year’s Cartier Sprinter Highfield Princess. 

Having been crowned Cartier Stayer in 2021, Trueshan claims the award for a second time this year. The hugely popular 7YO, trained by Alan King for the Singula Partnership, returned to his best with victories in the Betfred Doncaster Cup and Prix du Cadran. Courage Mon Ami, Quickthorn, and Betfred St Leger victor Continuous were also nominated for the award. 

City Of Troy, owned by Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, takes the Cartier 2YO Colt Award following an unbeaten season for Aidan O’Brien that culminated with success in the Native Trail’s Dewhurst Stakes. He prevails over Sumbe Prix Morny and Juddmonte Middle Park winner Vandeek, Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes scorer Henry Longfellow, and Rosallion, who took the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. 

Aidan O’Brien and a Coolmore partnership are also responsible for Opera Singer, who receives the Cartier 2YO Filly Award on the back of a progressive campaign that included an emphatic success in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac. Owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, and Westerberg, she takes the award from Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes winner Porta Fortuna, Moyglare Stud Stakes scorer Fallen Angel, and Ylang Ylang, who was successful in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile. 

Jeff Smith, one of the most popular owner/breeders in the sport, is the recipient of the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2023. His famous purple and light blue silks have been worn by some of the great horses of modern times, including Chief Singer, Lochsong, and Persian Punch.

Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK, commented, “I am delighted to celebrate another outstanding group of horses at the 33rd Cartier Racing Awards. Ace Impact displayed his brilliance throughout the year, culminating with a magnificent victory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and he is a deserving recipient of the Cartier Horse of the Year Award. We are also extremely pleased to present the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit to Jeff Smith, who has enjoyed tremendous success as an owner and breeder over the past six decades. Cartier are honoured to be able to recognise these champions of the sport and I congratulate all of this year’s winners. I would like to extend special thanks to Racing Post, The Daily Telegraph and Sky Sports Racing for their continued support of the Cartier Racing Awards.”