Stunning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Ace Impact fought off stiff competition to be crowned Horse of the Year at the recent 2023 Cartier Racing Awards.
The unbeaten son of Cracksman, a winner of all six of his races, was challenged for the award by four-time Group 1 winner Paddington, dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin and Shadwell flagbearer Mostahdaf.
Although unsuccessful in the main category, there was compensation for Mostahdaf, since retired to stud by Shadwell, as he was crowned champion older horse for trainers John and Thady Gosden.
There was also success on a glittering evening for Tahiyra who scooped the three-year-old filly award, despite being beaten by the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Mawj in the 1,000 Guineas. The enigmatic, but supremely talented Shaquille captured the Sprint title, while Trueshan, winner of the Stayers award in 2021, repeated the feat with his late season victories at Doncaster and Longchamp recognised by the panel.
Unsurprisingly, Aidan O’Brien won both juvenile categories with the indomitable City Of Troy awarded the champion two-year-old colt prize and fellow Ballydoyle youngster, Opera Singer, earning recognition as the best two-year-old filly in training.
The two juvenile awards were a further endorsement, if any was needed, that their sire Justify is sure to make a sizeable impact on next season’s Classics and beyond.
