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Nothing Separating Palace Pier, Poetic Flare Atop Cartier Horse Of The Year Standings

Outstanding milers Palace Pier and Poetic Flare, who fought out a thrilling finish to the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois, jointly head the Cartier Horse Of The Year standings following the latest points update for the Cartier Racing Awards.

The Cartier Racing Awards were established in 1991 to reward excellence in horseracing. There are eight equine awards – the Cartier Horse Of The Year, the Cartier Older Horse, the Cartier Sprinter, the Cartier Stayer, the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt, the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly, the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt and the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly.

The 31st annual Cartier Racing Awards will be awarded in November. Cartier continues its ongoing support with the presentation of the Cartier Racing Awards.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Palace Pier and Jim Bolger's homebred Poetic Flare have each accrued 144 points following a thrilling race at Deauville, France, on Aug. 15.

Palace Pier came out on top with a neck verdict over Poetic Flare in a battle between the two leading milers of their generations, with the winner securing a fifth G1 success over the distance.

Other leading Cartier Horse Of The Year contenders include 3-year-olds Mother Earth (120), Snowfall (120) and St Mark's Basilica (120), who are all trained by Aidan O'Brien for Coolmore partnerships.

QIPCO 1000 Guineas heroine Mother Earth was a game winner of the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville on Aug. 3, whilst Snowfall continued her unbeaten season with a smooth success in the G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York on Aug. 19.

St Mark's Basilica was forced to miss his intended engagement in the G1 Juddmonte International at York on Aug. 18 and will now head for the G1 Longines Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Sept. 11.

Mishriff (108) captured his first domestic G1 prize when running out a stunning six-length winner of the Juddmonte International, where his rivals included Love (72) and Alcohol Free (96). Victory on the Knavesmire for the John and Thady Gosden-trained superstar follows success this year in the Saudi Cup and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

Also in the Cartier Horse Of The Year running is Godolphin's Adayar (100), who became the first horse since his grandsire Galileo in 2001 to complete the Derby-King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes double when capturing the G1 midsummer highlight at Ascot. His stable companion Hurricane Lane (92), a dual G1 winner this term in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris, has 92 points.

Palace Pier also leads the way in the Cartier Older Horse standings ahead of Mishriff. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Broome has 80 points, along with Jerome Reynier's Skalleti.

Poetic Flare (144) is a clear leader in the Cartier Three-Year-Old category ahead of St Mark's Basilica (112), with Godolphin duo Adayar (100) and Hurricane Lane (92) challenging for the award.

Aidan O'Brien holds a strong hand in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly category with four of the top five contenders. Mother Earth and Snowfall are tied on 120 points, ahead of the Andrew Balding-trained Alcohol Free on 96 points. O'Brien is also responsible for Joan Of Arc (64), who finished third in the G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, and Santa Barbara (64), an easy winner of two G1 events in America this summer.

The Cartier Sprinter Award is wide-open with Archie Watson's ultra-consistent Dragon Symbol leading the way on 56 points. The three-year-old chased home Suesa (32) in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood, before finishing third in the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Aug. 20 behind the Tim Easterby-trained Winter Power (32).

Starman (48) defeated Dragon Symbol and Oxted (48) in the G1 Darley July Cup and finished an admirable third in the G1 Larc Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Aug. 8. Campanelle, Dream Of Dreams and Gustavus Weston all have 32 points.

Subjectivist (60) remains the leader in the Cartier Stayer division following his success in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot for Mark Johnston and owner Dr Jim Walker, although the 4-year-old will sadly miss the rest of the season due to a setback. Cedric Rossi's Skazino (48) recorded his third win of the campaign in the G2 Darley Prix Kergorlay at Deauville on Aug. 22.

G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup hero Trueshan and Spanish Mission, a narrow second to Stradivarius (24) in the G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup on Aug. 20 at York, both have 36 points.

Points are also announced for the first time this year in the 2-year-old categories. The Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt division is currently headed by the Richard Fahey-trained Perfect Power (48), who followed up success in the G2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot with a smart victory in the G1 Darley Prix Morny at Deauville on Aug. 22, with Alan King's G2 Unibet Richmond Stakes winner Asymmetric (32) in third.

The Al Shaqab Racing-owned Ebro River (32) provided his sire Galileo Gold with a first G1 winner in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Aug. 8, a contest in which Go Bears Go (32) was third. Lusail (32) has won his last three starts for Richard Hannon, culminating in G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York on Aug. 20.

The Andrew Balding-trained Sandrine leads the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly standings, having won the G3 Albany Stakes and G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes. Kirsten Rausing's homebred was second to Zain Claudette (24) in the G2 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York on Aug. 19.

Agartha (24) has proven one of the success stories of the season for Joseph O'Brien. The daughter of Caravaggio broke her maiden tag in the G3 Frank Conroy Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown, before going on to land the G2 Debutante Stakes at the Curragh on Aug. 21.

Gavin Cromwell's Queen Mary Stakes heroine Quick Suzy (20) and Christophe Ferland's Accakaba (16), who remained unbeaten in the G2 Prix du Calvados at Deauville on Aug. 21, are others in contention for the award at this stage.

The Cartier Racing Awards are delivered through a tried and tested combination of points earned by horses in Pattern races (30%), combined at the end of season with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists/handicappers (35%) and votes from readers of Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph (35%).

The participation of the public plays a crucial role in determining the winners of each year's Cartier Racing Awards and gives horseracing fans the chance to put forward their favorite horses in a meaningful way.

In addition to the equine awards, the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit goes to the person or persons who, in the opinion of the special 16-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done the most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.

The 10 most recent recipients have been John Gosden, Pat Smullen, Richard Hannon, Barry Hills, Team Frankel, Jim Bolger, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Jack Berry and Aidan O'Brien.

The post Nothing Separating Palace Pier, Poetic Flare Atop Cartier Horse Of The Year Standings appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Snowfall Dominates Yorkshire Oaks En Route To Arc De Triomphe

Aidan O'Brien looks to have racing's next superstar in his ranks – as Snowfall made light work of Thursday's Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks. The daughter of Deep Impact will receive an automatic berth into the US$2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

Having demolished her rivals in both the Cazoo Oaks and the Irish Oaks, O'Brien's filly was sent out a heavy favorite for Darley Yorkshire Oaks. And she certainly did not disappoint.

Ryan Moore kept Snowfall at the back, ridden quietly throughout the race. Stable companion La Joconde ensuring there was a good gallop throughout the race under Hollie Doyle. Turning the corner the runners came back to stands, and push came to shove on La Joconde, with Wonderful Tonight beginning to make her move.

Gasps from the York crowd rang out, as Snowfall, with consummate ease breezed her way through the field. In a matter of moments she was upside and past Wonderful Tonight – seemingly in third gear.

Ryan Moore then nudged her to press on and put the race to bed before easing her way to the line with all the dangers long behind her.

It was a special performance from a filly who looks set to go on to big things.

After the race Aidan O'Brien was in buoyant mood as he spoke about the next stage in the filly's career, he said: “She's gone very laid-back, putting on weight and starting to thrive. She's ready for the autumn. She could have another race before the Arc, if the lads want to do that.”

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Three-For-Three In 2021, Snowfall Goes For Breeders’ Cup Berth In Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor's dual Group 1-winning filly Snowfall (JPN) is set to take on six rivals at York in the 1 ½-mile Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) on Thursday. The Darley Yorkshire Oaks winner will receive an automatic berth into the US$2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

Snowfall, a 3-year-old daughter of Deep Impact (JPN) out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Best In The World (IRE), is three for three this season. The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly returns to York where she began her 2021 campaign with a win in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (G3), before cruising to a record-breaking 16-length victory in the Cazoo Oaks (G1) at Epsom in June. Snowfall followed up on that success with another wide-margin victory in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks (G1) at The Curragh on July 17. She is joined by stablemates Divinely (IRE), last seen finishing fourth in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (G2), and La Joconde (IRE), the outsider of the field.

Trained by David Menuisier and ridden by William Buick, Wonderful Tonight (FR) steps up to Group 1 competition for the first time this season. The 4-year-old daughter of Le Havre (IRE) won the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (G1) at ParisLongchamp and QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) last October. This year, Wonderful Tonight captured the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot in June before winning the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (G2) at Goodwood on July 31.

Menuisier had alternative options in France for his star filly but has decided to head to York.

He said: “Obviously I'm hoping there's a bit more rain, but if the ground is good we'll give it a go.

“I've been in Deauville for four or five days and I've found that the ground is pretty chopped up. The weather forecast is not that positive for downpours and I'm sure the ground will be better in York than it is in Deauville.”

Connections of Albaflora (GB) will be hoping their 4-year-old filly can improve against Wonderful Tonight. Owned and bred by Miss Kirsten Rausing, Albaflora finished fifth in the Hardwicke Stakes and third in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes. It would be a first win in this race for trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan, if successful.

John Gosden has won this race five times. Now training in partnership with his son Thady, the duo saddle Loving Dream (GB), with jockey Frankie Dettori set to ride. The 3-year-old daughter of Gleneagles (IRE) was last seen when winning the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot on June 17.

Finishing three-quarters of a length behind Loving Dream that day at Ascot was Shadwell Estate Company's Eshaada (GB). The lightly raced Group 2 placed 3-year-old filly, trained by Roger Varian and ridden by Jim Crowley, completes the field.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Darley Yorkshire Oaks winner to start in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which will be run at 1 3/8 Miles on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

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Blizzard Conditions In High Summer

Aidan O'Brien used the word “special” to describe Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) following her stunning success by a record-breaking 16 lengths in the G1 Epsom Oaks, but most would argue that tag did not go far enough to fully quantify what was witnessed on the first Friday in June. Looking more like a freak of nature as she glided by toiling rivals in early straight, the Ballydoyle bombshell out of the portentously-named dam Best In the World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) probably needs to do no more than she did there to become the 15th filly to complete a revered double in Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at The Curragh. This is not a competitive Classic by any means, with her own stable responsible for half the field and the closest-rated to her being Donnacha O'Brien's June 17 G2 Ribblesdale S. third Nicest (Ire) (American Pharoah), who is fully 15 pounds behind. It will almost certainly fall to the Coolmore partners, who have the first four in the betting and the only fillies worthy of being quoted at reasonably short odds, and so there is a responsibility on Snowfall to put on a show to salvage this renewal.

Snowfall would be favourite for this based solely on her emphatic success in York's G3 Musidora S. May 12, but her Epsom tour de force places her in elevated territory and greater tests await further into the season. If there is any achilles heel, it could be that the slower surface she has raced on so far this term is ideal and this quicker going could compromise her, but her pedigree suggests that is highly unlikely. “Last year she was always showing a lot at home–that's why she was running in all those good races–but obviously she has got stronger over the winter,” her trainer said. “Maybe she was a little bit weak or something last year, but we always liked what we saw at home. I know she's been winning on soft ground, but we always thought that nice ground would suit her.”

O'Brien also saddles the June 23 Listed Naas Oaks Trial scorer Willow (Ire) (American Pharoah), whose dam Peeping Fawn (Danehill) took this in 2007, and the Oaks third and Ribblesdale fourth Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who is a full-sister to the aforementioned Best In the World. “Willow won a nice trial last time out and she's in good form–we've been happy with her since Naas,” he added. “Divinely had a lovely run around Epsom and a nice run at Ascot and she seems to have been in good form since.”

Nicest, whose dam Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) is also an Irish Oaks heroine, lost a shoe in the Ribblesdale but needs an epic jump forward to make a race of it with the favourite while John Kalmanson's Party House (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) also had luck against her when sixth in the Naas Oaks Trial. Like Ballygallon Stud's Mariesque (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), who was a place ahead of her there, she looks to have a class chasm to bridge here. The latter's trainer Joseph O'Brien is not waving the white flag already, however.

“Mariesque is a lovely filly that we always hoped would make up into a stakes performer,” he said. “She made a winning return to action in a maiden at Gowran Park and then acquitted herself very well when fifth in the Naas Oaks Trial last month. She was still notably green at Naas and shaped as though this longer trip is what she wants. This is obviously a huge step up in class, but the race has cut up a bit and we're happy to throw her in at the deep end. She has very little to lose and an awful lot to gain, so hopefully she'll acquit herself well.”

Also at The Curragh, the five-furlong G2 Sapphire S. sees Patrick Moyles's May 16 Listed Sole Power Sprint S. and June 9 Listed Midsummer Sprint S. winner Logo Hunter (Ire) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) take on the June 18 G1 Commonwealth Cup third Measure of Magic (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) and the June 26 Listed Dubai Duty Free Dash S. scorer Romantic Proposal (Ire) (Raven's Pass) in a clash of three sprinters who could yet emerge as Group 1 winners in time. The preceding G3 Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Anglesey S. for the juveniles is a storied race staged over the unique trip of six furlongs and 63 yards which is crying out for a star performer to revive its glory days when it played host to Johannesburg, One Cool Cat, Oratorio (Ire) and Myboycharlie (Ire). Perhaps it could be the Ger Lyons-trained Beauty Inspire (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who impressed on his winning debut over a straight six here June 25.

Newbury's Listed Steventon S. features Juddmonte's 'TDN Rising Star' Derab (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who was far from disgraced when eighth in the 10 1/2-furlong G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly June 6. The G3 Hackwood S. is the key contest, with the six-furlong sprint acting as the first start on turf for the Clive Cox-trained 3-year-old Diligent Harry (GB) (Due Diligence) who was third last time in the G3 Chipchase S. at Newcastle June 26. “I'm hoping he can translate his promise and progress on the all-weather across to the turf,” his trainer said. In the £200,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint S., the June 16 Listed Windsor Castle S. winner Chipotle (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}) encounters the June 15 G2 Coventry S. third Vintage Clarets (GB) (Ardad {Ire}).

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