The racingpost are running a vote for Jumps Horse of the Year at http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/vote-now-for-your-jumps-horse-of-the-year/1016765/top/. I wondered who your votes would go to. I've put below the Racing posts nominations, with their write up of each Horse, and I've added a couple more at the bottom who I though deserved a look in: The Racing Post Shortlist Big Buck's: The current holder of this title made sporting history when winning his 17th consecutive race over jumps on the opening day of the John Smith's Grand National meeting at Aintree. Owned by The Stewart Family and trained by current champion, Paul Nicholls, this wasn't his only magic moment of the season as this incredible horse won five races during 2011-12, including his fourth consecutive Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham. Kauto Star: This courageous horse brought tears to the eyes of theracing public when, at the grand age of 11, he won his fifth King George VI Chase, reclaiming the crown from his younger counterpart, Long Run. If that wasn't enough, he also repelled the same rival when winning the Betfair Chase for the fourth time. Trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, Kauto Star received rapt applause before he'd even stepped onto the track for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Synchronised: Trained by Jonjo O'Neill, Synchronised leapt into our imaginations with a heroic performance during the 2011-12 season, first winning the Grade 1 Lexus Chase in Ireland. Before his tragic death in the John Smith's Grand National, he landed Britainâs most prestigious race, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, under an inspired ride by Tony McCoy. This gave his owner JP McManus his first win in a race he has been watching for over 40 years. Sprinter Sacre: This brilliant six-year-old, trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by Caroline Mould, has never finished outside the top three during his 11 race career and is unbeaten this season. His races weren't just any old races either â his wins included the Racing Post Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival and the John Smithâs Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree. Finian's Rainbow: He has not finished out of the top two this season, winning three out of four races. Trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by Michael Buckley, his most prestigious win came at this year's Cheltenham Festival when he won the crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, holding off Sizing Europe. He also won the Grade 1 John Smith's Melling Chase at the recent Aintree meeting. My Own Honorable Mentions Hunt Ball: Since joining young trainer Keiron Burke's stable, Hunt Ball has treated the National Hunt world to 7 wins of Handicap marks ranging from 69 to a final win off 142 and the top weight at the Cheltenham Festival, before finishing a good third in the Aintree Bowl Chase on his first attempt at a Graded race and the 3m+ trip. Hunt Ball's charismatic owner Anthony Knott has become a celebrity thanks to this horse and it's fantastic achievements. Overturn: Renowned for being 'the model of a consistent performer', Donald McCains top hurdler has shown huge amounts of class this season, winning the Scottish Summer Champion Hurdle, the Coral Hurdle and the Fighting Fifth before coming a very strong second in the Champion Hurdle. A quality performer on the flat also, Overturns season has been impressive from an already seasoned performer. Neptune Collonges: Retired immediately after winning the Grand National for Paul Nichols and Daryl Jacob by the smallest winning margin in the history of the great race, no one could wish it on a more genuine and classy horse. Plotted out for the National this season, but previously a multiple G1 winner and Gold Cup 3rd, Neptune Collonges had a fantastic swansong season by winning the biggest race of them all. Who would you pick off the list? Are there more I haven't mentioned who deserve a look it?
For the record, this is a very difficult field to split, but for me the real Horse of the Year has to be Hunt Ball - Big Bucks and Kauto have done it all before, whilst Sprinter Sacre's year may well be next year, but Hunt Ball has given me and anyone who has followed him a lot of joy - his wins have been emphatic, and the stories of him and his ownership have been fantastic to follow. Next year though, I expect everyone to be agreed on Sprinter Sacre.
I would give it to Kauto Star - to win 5 King George V1 chases was an incredible achievement, and of course he had that memorable win at Haydock too. Big Buck's can win it next year when he wins a fifth world hurdle - an equally impressive achievement. Sprinter Sacre - Newcomer of the year?
Kauto by a country mile. The horse is a freak. We all hoped for the best, and he fulfilled expectations on a number of occasions. Wonderful animal. Honourable mention: Neptune Collonges.
It depends what the criteria is. I'm assuming it's not the best horse, otherwise there would be no voting as it would be based on rating. Therefore I personally would vote for Neptune Collonges.
Big Bucks, unbeaten this season in the top sphere of hurdling and has that great record of wins. Simply the best jumps horse around.
PS or is this horse of 2011. If so, Kauto Star with Big Bucks my second vote. I'm voting on the basis this is a vote, not an argument.
Although Sprinter Sacre would rate as "prospect of the year; Kauto as "achievement of the year" in winning 5 King George's at eleven years old; and Hunt Ball the "greatest improver , " Big Buck's would get my vote as "Horse of the Year" for winning seventeen consecutive races and being unbeaten for three and a half years. That is something which we are very unlikely to witness again in our lifetime. I accept that the other three have great merit, although personally I should place Kauto second. I do not think the fact that he won only two races- and lost the other-detracts from his marvellous achievements this year.
Big Bucks followed very closely by Hunt Ball... Big Bucks solely for his unbeaten record this year, The fact he's made history with his straight 17 wins and also claiming a record 4th World Hurdle. He as swatted away every single horse who as challenged and every single doubter that ever dare doubt his ability. He really is the gem of National Hunt racing... Hunt Ball's rise through the ratings and the rate of improvement as been unpresidented. So pleased for connections as the fella who owns him is so enthusiastic about the game and his horse, And for a relatively small yard in Keiran Burke its been fairytale stuff. I hope he progesses again next year.. Honourable mention surely as to go to Kauto Star. Yes We know all about his CV in racing but to have gone on for as long as He as and to have also broken another record in the King George claiming his 5th crown, That may never ever be matched. The old fella as had a superb season
There is (IMO) an unhealthy bias against Hurdlers - I'm sure PN put up some ratings not long back that showed 17 of the top 20 NH performances since 1990 were from Chasers and given that we've seen the likes of Istabraq, Hardy Eustace, Lady Rebecca, Baracouda, Big Bucks, Baracouda to name just a few, I find it difficult to accept that hurdlers could only record 3 of the top 20 performances over that time. As for 11/12, there's no doubt that Big Bucks who recorded an unprecedented 4th World Hurdle in a season where he recorded 5 victories and is now unbeaten for a riduculous 3.5 years should win this hands down, but I think the emotion surrounding Kauto Stars Betfair Chase then recording a 5th King George will be enough to push the balance in his favour.....
Got to be Kauto, there will never be another like him. Whilst it is a results based business, to look at results alone for this would be a bit short sighted. I've never seen a horse do for NH racing in a season what Kauto has done 2011/2012. He's the people's champ, and I'll be very surprised if he loses the vote
Easy one for me – Mr Henderson’s SPRINTER SACRE. His performances on the track have been nothing sort of sensational as he has easily, and I do mean easily, brushed aside his opponents not only in novice company but also in an ‘open’ heat as well. There are quite simply not enough superlatives to describe the impression he has made this season. He’s also done everything over the big 'uns, thus far, ‘on the bridle’ as well so you can guarantee that we have to date still to see the horse at maximum capacity. Also brings to the table a sense of excitement and wonder as you contemplate, if kept sound, what greatness he will go onto achieve over the next few season. An exceptional horse with the talent to progress even further. What more do you want…
Kauto Star gets the sentimental vote, but for objective achievement the best horse this winter has been Sprinter Sacre by a country mile. The season, while not being short of drama, lacked outstanding performances. This was the one animal who was head and shoulders above the opposition in what looked a decent division.
I think Big Buck's also qualifies as being 'head and shoulder above the opposition' does he not? It depends how you look on it as to who you think should win it. For continued excellence and the perfect season - Big Buck's. For recaptured glory and the best moments of the season - Kauto Star. For brilliance and potential for further glories - Sprinter Sacre. For surprise and tenacity in the greatest race of them all - Synchronised For being the 2nd best 2m chaser in Seven Barrows - Finian's Rainbow If you ask me it is between the first two named. Sprinter Sacre's year will be next year.
He is head and shoulders above the opposition, yes. But only in the sense that Wigan would be head and shoulders above the opposition if they were entered for the Johnston's Paint Trophy every year.
