Below a press release from Cartier with the latest standings, as at 21 August: MAJOR VICTORIES SHAKE UP CARTIER RACING AWARDS STANDINGSEvents this month at premier Group One venues such as the Curragh, York, Deauville and Arlington Park, USA, not only thrilled and delighted horseracing fans, they also gave the latest Cartier Racing Awardsâ standings a bit of a shake-up. Established in 1991 to reward excellence in horseracing, the Cartier Awards are determined by points earned by horses in Pattern races throughout 2011, combined at the end of season with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists and votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph. In addition to the eight equine awards, the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit goes to the person or persons who, in the opinion of the special 18-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done the most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months. European horseracingâs equivalent of the Oscars will be presented on the evening of Tuesday, November 15, during a glittering ceremony before an invited audience at Londonâs Dorchester Hotel. Deauvilleâs August meeting and Yorkâs Ebor Festival last week saw outstanding wins for Immortal Verse and Blue Bunting, both leading contenders for the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Award. Competition for that coveted prize is particularly intense this year but Blue Bunting, already a dual Classic heroine thanks to wins in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas and Darley Irish Oaks, maintained her position at the head of the division with a determined victory against older fillies and mares in the Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York on August 18. Blue Bunting has 110 points, 14 more than the Robert Collet-trained Immortal Verse (96), who built upon her success in the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot with a stunning triumph against all-comers in the Group One Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois over a mile at Deauville on August 15. Immortal Verse swept through from the rear in the prestigious mile contest to win by a length from the great mare Goldikova, the 2010 Cartier Horse Of The Year. Golden Lilac, winner of the two French filliesâ Classics, the Poule dâEssai des Pouliches and the Prix de Diane - Longines, added to her points haul when third to Goldikovaâs half-sister, Galikova, in the Group Two Prix Guillaume DâOrnano at Deauville on August 15. She is third in the category with 76 points, just ahead of Misty For Me (72). Goldikovaâs (96) runner-up effort saw her rise above So You Think (84) and the now-retired Canford Cliffs (80) to take a brief lead in the Cartier Older Horse division, an award she won in 2009 and 2010. Her advantage did not last long as the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Midday ran a fine race to finish a narrow second to her stable companion Twice Over in the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes at York on August 17. Midday had appeared the likely winner when she hit the front within the final quarter-mile but the Oasis Dream mare wandered around as Twice Over ran straight and true to register the fourth Group One win of his career by three quarters of a length. Midday now tops the Cartier Older Horse standings with 100 points. With the 2011 season moving towards its final third, the Cartier Two-Year-Old divisions are beginning to heat up and the hottest of the bunch right now appears to be Dabirsim who stormed to an impressive three-length victory in the Group One Darley Prix Morny at Deauville on August 21. Trained by Christophe Ferland, the Hat Trick colt retained his unbeaten status as he triumphed impressively from Group Two Prix Robert Papin winner Family One, whom he joins at the head of the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt category with 40 points. Power, second in the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on August 7, has 32 points, followed by Group Two Railway Stakes victor Lilbourne Lad (28), runner-up to Caspar Netscher in the Group Two Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York on August 19. La Collina (36), trained by Kevin Prendergast, heads the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly standings after defeating colts to win the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, and the Richard Hannon-trained Best Terms (32) added to her Group Two Queen Mary Stakes success when easily taking the Group Two Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes at York on August 18. Fire Lily (18) was runner-up to Best Terms that day, while Maybe (24) retained her unbeaten status with an easy win in the Group Two Keeneland Debutante Stakes at the Curragh on August 7. In what is a vintage season, the mighty Frankel still tops the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt division with 136 points, Sir Henry Cecilâs unbeaten charge has captured the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas, the St Jamesâs Palace Stakes and the QIPCO Sussex Stakes this year. Frankel sees his lead cut, however, thanks to the battling victory of Irish Derby hero Treasure Beach at Arlington Park, Chicago on August 13. The Aidan OâBrien-trained colt held Ziyarid to land the Grade One Secretariat Stakes by a neck and now has 108 points. Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Sponsored by Betfair hero Nathaniel (68) and Investec Derby winner Pour Moi (66) are next. Opinion Poll was a late-closing runner-up to Fame And Glory in the Group One Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June and now heads that rival in the Cartier Stayer standings. The Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained five-year-old has 61 points, after adding the Group Two Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup at York on August 20 to his earlier success in the Group Two Artemis Goodwood Cup. Fame And Glory (48) was the neck runner-up to Fictional Account in the Listed Irish Field St Leger Trial at the Curragh on the same day, while Brigantin (33) came third to Jukebox Jury in the Group Two Darley Prix Kergorlay at Deauville on August 21. Margot Did was on the mark at York on August 19, slamming her rivals under Hayley Turner to cause an upset in the Group One Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs. Michael Bellâs charge now has 33 points in the Cartier Sprinter standings, after seeing off third-placed Prohibit (53), winner of the Group One Kingâs Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, by a length and a quarter. Society Rock (64), the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes scorer, heads the category after finishing second to Moonlight Cloud in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on August 7, a race in which Group One Darley July Cup winner Dream Ahead (48) finished seventh. Frankel (136) leads the way in the race to be crowned Cartier Horse of The Year, ahead of his closest pursuers, Blue Bunting (110), Treasure Beach (108) and Midday (100). Harry Herbert, Cartierâs racing consultant, commented today: âWe have witnessed a host of exceptional performances already this season and that continued at York, Deauville and the Curragh last week. âThere are so many highlights worthy of mention but Blue Buntingâs victory in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks was a particular thrill, as was Prince Khalid Abdulla enjoying a one-two on the Knavesmire in the race he sponsors, the Juddmonte International Stakes, thanks to the popular pair of Twice Over and Midday. âAt Deauville, Immortal Verse was stunning in her defeat of Goldikova, while a potential superstar emerged on Sunday in the form of the impressive Dabirsim. âThere is so much still to come and, with the major autumn targets looming large on the horizon, we look forward to plenty more sensational contests before the Cartier Racing Awards are determined. âWith so many championship-calibre horses around, it seems guaranteed that the competition for Cartier Awards recognition is going to be particularly fierce this year.â CARTIER AWARDS 2011 LATEST POINTS STANDINGS (up to and including August 21, 2011) Cartier Horse of the Year FRANKEL 136 BLUE BUNTING 110 TREASURE BEACH 108 MIDDAY 100 Cartier Three-year-old Colt FRANKEL 136 TREASURE BEACH 108 NATHANIEL 68 POUR MOI 66 Cartier Three-year-old Filly BLUE BUNTING 110 IMMORTAL VERSE 96 GOLDEN LILAC 76 MISTY FOR ME 72 Cartier Older Horse MIDDAY 100 GOLDIKOVA 96 SO YOU THINK 84 CANFORD CLIFFS 80 Cartier Sprinter SOCIETY ROCK 64 PROHIBIT 53 DREAM AHEAD 48 MARGOT DID 33 Cartier Stayer OPINION POLL 61 FAME AND GLORY 48 BRIGANTIN 33 BLUE BAJAN 28 Cartier Two-year-old Colt DABIRSIM 40 FAMILY ONE 40 POWER 32 LILBOURNE LAD 28 Cartier Two-Year-old Filly LA COLLINA 36 BEST TERMS 32 MAYBE 24 FIRE LILY 18
Previous Cartier winners: 2010 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Frankel Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Misty For Me Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Workforce Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Snow Fairy Cartier Sprinter: Starspangledbanner Cartier Stayer: Rite Of Passage Cartier Older Horse: Goldikova Cartier Horse of the Year: Goldikova, owned by the Wertheimer brothers Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Richard Hannon 2009 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: St Nicholas Abbey Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Special Duty Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Sea The Stars Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Sariska Cartier Sprinter: Fleeting Spirit Cartier Stayer: Yeats Cartier Older Horse: Goldikova Cartier Horse of the Year: Sea The Stars, owned by Christopher Tsui Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Oxx 2008 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Mastercraftsman Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Rainbow View Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: New Approach Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Zarkava Cartier Sprinter: Marchand D’Or Cartier Stayer: Yeats Cartier Older Horse: Duke Of Marmalade Cartier Horse of the Year: Zarkava, owned by HH the Aga Khan Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum 2007 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: New Approach Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Natagora Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Authorized Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Peeping Fawn Cartier Sprinter: Red Clubs Cartier Stayer: Yeats Cartier Older Horse: Dylan Thomas Cartier Horse of the Year: Dylan Thomas, owned by Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: The Niarchos Family 2006 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Teofilo Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Finsceal Beo Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: George Washington Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Mandesha Cartier Sprinter: Reverence Cartier Stayer: Yeats Cartier Older Horse: Ouija Board Cartier Horse of the Year: Ouija Board, owned by Lord Derby Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Peter Willett 2005 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: George Washington Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Rumplestiltskin Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Hurricane Run Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Divine Proportions Cartier Sprinter: Avonbridge Cartier Stayer: Westerner Cartier Older Horse: Azamour Cartier Horse of the Year: Hurricane Run, owned by Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Henry Cecil 2004 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Shamardal Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Divine Proportions Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Bago Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ouija Board Cartier Sprinter: Somnus Cartier Stayer: Westerner Cartier Older Horse: Soviet Song Cartier Horse of the Year: Ouija Board, owned by Lord Derby Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: David & Patricia Thompson 2003 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: One Cool Cat Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Attraction Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Dalakhani Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Russian Rhythm Cartier Sprinter: Oasis Dream Cartier Stayer: Persian Punch Cartier Older Horse: Falbrav Cartier Horse of the Year: Dalakhani, owned by HH the Aga Khan Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Lord Oaksey 2002 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Hold That Tiger Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Six Perfections Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Rock Of Gibraltar Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Kazzia Cartier Sprinter: Continent Cartier Older Horse: Grandera Cartier Stayer: Vinnie Roe Cartier Horse of the Year: Rock of Gibraltar, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson & Sue Magnier Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Prince Khalid bin Abdulla Cartier Special Award: Tony McCoy 2001 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Queen’s Logic Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Johannesburg Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Banks Hill Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Galileo Cartier Stayer: Persian Punch Cartier Sprinter: Mozart Cartier Older Horse: Fantastic Light Cartier Horse of the Year: Fantastic Light, owned by Godolphin Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Magnier 2000 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Superstar Leo Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Tobougg Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Petrushka Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Sinndar Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara Cartier Sprinter: Nuclear Debate Older Horse: Kalanisi Cartier Horse of the Year: Giant’s Causeway, owned by Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Cartier Millennium Award of Merit: HM The Queen Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: HH the Aga Khan 1999 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Torgau Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Fasliyev Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ramruma Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Montjeu Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara Cartier Sprinter: Stravinsky Cartier Older Horse: Daylami Cartier Horse of the Year: Daylami, owned by Godolphin Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Peter Walwyn 1998 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Aljabr Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Bint Allayl Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Dream Well Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Cape Verdi Cartier Sprinter: Tamarisk Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara Cartier Older Horse: Swain Cartier Horse of the Year: Dream Well, owned by the Niarchos Family Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: The Head Family 1997 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Embassy Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Xaar Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ryafan Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Peintre Celebre Cartier Stayer: Celeric Cartier Sprinter: Royal Applause Cartier Older Horse: Pilsudski Cartier Horse of the Year: Peintre Celebre, owned by Daniel Wildenstein Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Sir Peter O’Sullevan 1996 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Pas De Reponse Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Bahamian Bounty Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Bosra Sham Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Helissio Cartier Stayer: Nononito Cartier Sprinter: Anabaa Cartier Older Horse: Halling Cartier Horse of the Year: Helissio, owned by Enrique Sarasola Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Frankie Dettori 1995 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Blue Duster Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Alhaarth Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ridgewood Pearl Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Lammtarra Cartier Stayer: Double Trigger Cartier Sprinter: Hever Golf Rose Cartier Older Horse: Further Flight Cartier Horse of the Year: Ridgewood Pearl, owned by Anne Coughlan Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Dunlop 1994 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Gay Gallanta Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Celtic Swing Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Balanchine Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: King’s Theatre Cartier Stayer: Moonax Cartier Sprinter: Lochsong Cartier Older Horse: Barathea Cartier Horse of the Year: Barathea, owned by Sheikh Mohammed Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Marquess of Hartington 1993 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Lemon Souffle Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: First Trump Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Intrepidity Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Commander In Chief Cartier Stayer: Vintage Crop Cartier Sprinter: Lochsong Cartier Older Horse: Opera House Cartier Horse of the Year: Lochsong, owned by Jeff Smith Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Francois Boutin 1992 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Lyric Fantasy Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Zafonic Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: User Friendly Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Rodrigo De Triano Cartier Stayer: Drum Taps Cartier Sprinter: Mr Brooks Cartier Older Horse: Mr Brooks Cartier Horse of the Year: User Friendly, owned by Bill Gredley Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Lester Piggott 1991 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Culture Vulture Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Arazi Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Kooyonga Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Suave Dancer Cartier Stayer: Turgeon Cartier Sprinter: Sheikh Albadou Cartier Older Horse: Terimon Cartier Horse of the Year: Arazi, owned by Allen Paulson & Sheikh Mohammed Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Henri Chalhoub
I'm curious to know how the current standings have been arrived at. To take Frankel (136) and Pour Moi (66) as examples, is it possible to find an exact breakdown of the number of points the former earned for each of his three G1s and his G2 this season in comparison with Pour Moi's one G1 and one G2. I'm also wondering why Midday has 100 points but Twice Over is not listed. I'm aware there is also a strong subjective element with the points system being allied to votes from British racing journalists and readers of the Racing Post and Daily Telegraph. However, I don't know whether these votes come into play as the season progresses or at the season's end.
Pour Moi will have picked up most of his points at Epsom, since when he has not raced, whilst Twice Over has collected a top Group 1 and a Group 2 at York this season. Perhaps the latter is not worth enough points. Midday has won a Group 1 and a Group 2 this term but has finished second in all her other races, predominately Group 1 events, which will help her aggregate. It does seem strange that a double Classic winner, Golden Lilac, is only four points ahead of single Classic winner Misty For Me. Some Classics must be worth more than others or the Pretty Polly Stakes was worth double for the first two!
