Arc Winner Ace Impact Named Cartier Horse of the Year

The sparkling Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Ace Impact (IRE) was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2023 Cartier Racing Awards Nov. 9 at a glittering ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London. The unbeaten colt dominated the awards just as he did his races, fending off star miler and four-time group 1 winner Paddington (GB), dual Derby victor and Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) winner Auguste Rodin (IRE), and Shadwell flagbearer Mostahdaf (IRE). Ace Impact, the outstanding Jean-Claude Rouget-trained 3-year-old, was the first French-based winner of the main prize since Treve (FR) in 2013 and also won the award confined to colts of his generation, having comprehensively beaten Big Rock (FR) in the Prix du Jockey Club (G1) in June. Mostahdaf, who won the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) and Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) in a glorious summer, was crowned champion older horse for trainers John and Thady Gosden. Tahiyra (IRE) may have narrowly missed out in the One Thousand Guineas (G1) to Mawj (IRE) but the Aga Khan's exceptional filly went on to win the Irish equivalent, Coronation Stakes (G1), and Matron Stakes (G1) stakes, and she scooped the 3-year-old filly award. Sprint honors went the way of Shaquille (GB), the talented 3-year-old who claimed the Commonwealth Cup (G1) and July Cup Stakes (G1) for the Julie Camacho team despite giving away valuable ground at the start. A winner in 2021, Trueshan (FR) was awarded the prize of top stayer for the second time after his autumn resurgence saw him win the Doncaster Cup Stakes (G2) and Prix du Cadran (G1) after two defeats at the beginning of the season. Both 2-year-old accolades went the way of trainer Aidan O'Brien, with the runaway Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) winner Opera Singer and magnificent Dewhurst Stakes (G1) scorer City of Troy recognized. The pair are Kentucky-breds by Triple Crown winner and emerging sire Justify. Bred by Mrs. E. Stockwell, Opera Singer is out of the Sadler's Wells mare Liscanna (IRE), who boasts eight winners from nine starters. Opera Singer is a half sister to Irish highweight and group 1 winner Brave Anna (by War Front) as well as 2015 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Hit It a Bomb (also by War Front). Bred by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt, City of Troy is out of the group 1-winning Galileo mare Together Forever (IRE). All five of Together Forever's starters are winners, including group 3 winner Military Style (War Front). Decorated owner/breeder Jeff Smith was the recipient of the award of merit. A high-profile and longtime supporter of horse racing, his distinguished purple silks have been carried with distinction by the likes of Lochsong and Persian Punch. CARTIER AWARDS Cartier Horse of the Year Ace Impact Cartier 3-Year-Old Colt Ace Impact Cartier 3-Year-Old Filly Tahiyra Cartier Older Horse Mostahdaf Cartier Sprinter Shaquille Cartier Stayer Trueshan Cartier 2-Year-Old Colt City of Troy Cartier 2-Year-Old Filly Opera Singer Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit Jeff Smith