Calandagan, a three-time group 1 winner this year who capped his European racing season with a 2 1/4-length win in the Champion Stakes (G1), was crowned Horse of the Year at the 35th Cartier Racing Awards Nov. 19 at the Dorchester hotel in London.
The son of 2014 Cartier 2-year-old colt Gleneagles is the fourth horse bred by the Aga Khan Studs to be crowned Cartier Horse of the year following Daylami (1999), Dalakhani (2003), and Zarkava (2008); and the first since the death of His Highness Aga Khan IV in February.
Trained by francis-Henri Graffard, Calandagan has enjoyed a superb campaign in 2025, including defeating top-class opposition in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) and the Champion. Brigadier Gerard (1972) is the only other horse in history to win both races in the same season. Calandagan also captured the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud (G1) in late June in france.
Calandagan takes the Horse of the Year award ahead of Champion Stakes runner-up Ombudsman, who captured the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) and International Stakes (G1), and the other finalists: multiple group 1-winning 3-year-olds Delacroix and filly Minnie Hauk. All four finalists were bred in Ireland.
Calandagan, who is being prepared for a start in the Japan Cup (G1), also receives the older horse award. Each season the Cartier Awards honor Europe’s top runners.Delacroix lands the 3-year-old colt award,having defeated Ombudsman in the Eclipse Stakes (G1) and captured the Irish champion Stakes (G1) during a campaign that stretched from March-October. Trained by Aidan O’Brien for a Coolmore-affiliated partnership, the son of Dubawi and North American champion mare.
Cartier Racing Awards Celebrate Excellence in European Horse Racing
Table of Contents
The Cartier Racing Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in European horse racing, recently concluded another successful year. The awards acknowledge the top horses, trainers, and jockeys, with the selection process blending performance statistics with expert and public opinion. The event organizers expressed gratitude to key media partners – Racing Post, The Daily Telegraph, and Sky Sports Racing – for their ongoing support.
A History of Recognizing Racing Excellence
Established in 1991,the Cartier Racing Awards have become a cornerstone of recognizing excellence within the European racing community. the awards aim to highlight the very best in the sport, celebrating both equine and human achievement. https://www.cartierracingawards.com/
How the Winners are Chosen: A Three-Tiered System
The selection process for the Cartier Racing Awards is a carefully balanced system, ensuring a comprehensive and fair assessment of contenders. It incorporates three key elements:
* Pattern Race Performance (30%): Horses accumulate points based on their performance in officially recognized Pattern races throughout the season. Pattern races are graded stakes races considered the highest level of competition.
* Racing Experts’ Panel (35%): A panel comprised of experienced racing journalists and handicappers provides their expert opinions on the leading horses. Their collective knowledge and insight contribute significantly to the final outcome.
* Public Vote (35%): Readers of Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph have the prospect to cast their votes, adding a valuable public dimension to the awards. This allows fans to participate in recognizing their favorite horses and performances.
Recent Winners & Notable Categories
While specific winners for the 2025 awards are not yet available (as of November 20, 2025), the Cartier Racing Awards typically recognize achievements in several categories. These commonly include:
* Horse of the Year: the most prestigious award, recognizing the overall champion.
* Two-Year-Old Colt/Filly: Honoring the top performing two-year-old horses.
* Three-Year-Old Colt/Filly: Recognizing excellence in the classic age group.
* Stayer: Awarded to the leading long-distance horse.
* Sprinter: Recognizing the fastest horses over shorter distances.
* Trainer of the Year: Acknowledging the achievements of the leading trainer.
* Jockey of the Year: Honoring the most successful jockey.
To find the most up-to-date list of winners, please visit the official cartier racing Awards website: https://www.cartierracingawards.com/
Looking ahead
The Cartier racing Awards continue to be a vital part of the European racing calendar, celebrating the dedication, skill, and athleticism that define the sport. As the racing season progresses, anticipation builds for the next awards ceremony, where the champions of the turf will once again be honored.