Baaeed suffered his only career defeat in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot last month; Kyprios is named top Stayer, while Highfield Princess wins Sprinter award; highlights from the 32nd Cartier Racing Awards will be shown on Sky Sports Racing at 4.15pm on Sunday, November 13
Wednesday 9 November 2022 23:02, UK
Superstar Baaeed has picked up two prizes at the 2022 Cartier Racing Awards, including the prestigious Horse of the Year title.
A son of 2009 winner Sea The Stars, Baaeed started the year unbeaten, picking up four consecutive Group One races for trainer William Haggas before suffering his only career defeat in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.
The four-year-old colt, who becomes the first horse owned by Shadwell to receive the award and was also named Older Horse of the year, will stand as a stallion next year after retiring from racing.
He beat off competition for the top prize from Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista, four-time Group One-winning stayer Kyprios and Highfield Princess.
Speaking at the awards, jockey Jim Crowley said: "It was an honour to ride a horse of that calibre and it's nice that he was recognised this evening.
"He just felt different to all the others, really. He was a relatively easy ride and he filled you with confidence. It's been a great journey and I've enjoyed every minute of it."
The latter pair were able to pick up separate prizes with Kyprios crowned Cartier Stayer, while Highfield Princess was named Cartier Sprinter.
Having claimed the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly title in 2021 - won this year by Lezoo - Inspiral was among the winners again, this time receiving the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly award, a feat only matched by Divine Proportions (2005) and Minding (2016).
The Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt award went to Arc runner-up Vadeni, who saw off Derby winner Desert Crown and Godolphin duo of Coroebus and Modern Games.
Aidan O'Brien's recently retired star juvenile Blackbeard took the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt award, beating stablemates Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear and Dewhurst winner Chaldean.
The recipient of the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2022 is owner-breeder Kirsten Rausing, who enjoyed a remarkable year with Alpinista's Arc triumph as well as celebrating a first British Classic success as a breeder with Eldar Eldarov in the St Leger.
Laurent Feniou, managing director of Cartier UK, said: "Baaeed lit up the season with four brilliant victories and he is a worthy recipient of the Cartier Horse of the Year award.
"We are also thrilled to honour Kirsten Rausing, who has given so much to the industry, with the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit.
"It is a privilege for Cartier to be able to recognise these champions of the sport and my deepest congratulations go out to all of this year's winners."
Highlights from the 32nd Cartier Racing Awards will be shown on Sky Sports Racing at 4.15pm on Sunday, November 13.
