Scandinavia and Blue Bolt jump right into the battle for Cartier Horse of the Year
Their victories during the Irish Champions Festival triggered major shifts in the standings for the Cartier Racing Awards; Bow Echo retains the overall lead despite being retired, while position changes also swept through the stayer, sprinter, and juvenile divisions
LONDON, England (Special for Turf Diario).— The Irish Champions Festival left behind far more than G1winners at Leopardstown and The Curragh. It also deeply reshaped the standings for the Cartier Racing Awards, where Scandinavia (Justify) and Blue Bolt (Blue Point) emerged as two of the major protagonists in the battle for top honors on the European season.
With little more than two months remaining until the November 18 ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London, Bow Echo (Night of Thunder) retains the lead in the Cartier Horse of the Year standings with 128 points, despite his unexpected retirement last month putting an end to his campaign.
Right behind him now sits Scandinavia, on 120, after extending his impressive winning streak to 8 consecutive victories by taking the Irish St Leger (G1). The Aidan O’Brien trainee thus completed an extraordinary campaign among the stayers, having previously captured the Gold Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup (G1).
That streak allows him to commandingly lead the Cartier Stayer division with 120 points against just 58 for Caballo de Mar (Phoenix of Spain) and 48 for Highwayman (Persian King), the recent winner of the St Leger (G1) at Doncaster.
Yet his candidacy reaches far beyond that category. Scandinavia sits second in the overall standings and is one of the names applying the most pressure on the retired Bow Echo.
Blue Bolt, undefeated and rising
The other major beneficiary of the Irish weekend was Blue Bolt. The daughter of Blue Point kept her 2026 record unblemished by convincingly winning the Matron Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown to reach 112 points, moving into a tie for third in the Horse of the Year standings.
The Juddmonte representative has reeled off five consecutive victories this season, three of them coming in G1 events: the Falmouth Stakes, the Prix Rothschild, and now the Matron.
Furthermore, she took command of the Cartier Older Horse division, leading with 112 points over the 96 held by her stablemate Kalpana (Study of Man).
The recent ascent of Daryz (Sea the Stars) and Notable Speech (Dubawi) is also reflected there. Daryz reached 92 points after winning the Prix Foy (G2), while Notable Speech reached 88 following a repeat victory in the Woodbine Mile (G1).
Bow Echo stays on top among the 3-year-olds
Despite his retirement, Bow Echo maintains the lead in the Cartier 3-Year-Old Colt category alongside his position at the top of the overall table. His 128 points have yet to be reached by his chief rivals, several of whom let key opportunities slip by in recent weeks.
Constitution River (Wootton Bassett) holds 104 after finishing third in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1), while Item(Frankel), previously winner of the Juddmonte International (G1), sits on 80 after placing sixth at Leopardstown.
The winner of that race, 4-year-old Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot), reached 74 points. Gstaad (Starspangledbanner), meanwhile, remains on 104 after finishing third in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1). The situation leaves Bow Echo with a substantial cushion, even as he can no longer add new points to his tally.
Diamond Necklace leads the fillies
The Cartier 3-Year-Old Filly division continues to be led by Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica) with 112 points. The Coolmore representative maintains a slim margin over her stablemate Precise (Starspangledbanner), who accumulates 108, while True Love (No Nay Never) sits third on 96.
Making headway was Thundering On (Frankel), winner of the Oaks (G1), who reached 72 points after adding the Blandford Stakes (G3) during Sunday's card at The Curragh. As a result, Coolmore retains a particularly strong foothold in a division where three of the top four belong to its powerhouse roster.
Comanche Brave takes the sprint division
There was also a change of leadership in the Cartier Sprinter standings. Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett) took full advantage of his decisive victory in the Flying Five Stakes (G1) to reach 83 points and surge into the top spot.
The July Cup (G1) winner finished well clear at The Curragh over American Affair (Washington DC) and Rumstar (Havana Grey), who hold 40 and 36 points, respectively. However, Almeraq (Dark Angel) stands as another major contender. With 64 points, he is the only notable member of the division to secure two G1 victories in 2026: first taking the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot before delivering a dominant performance to win the Sprint Cup.
Folsom Blues in the juvenile colt division
The Irish Champions Festival also significantly altered the juvenile colt standings. Folsom Blues (Blue Point) moved into the lead for Cartier 2-Year-Old Colt with 52 points following his spectacular six-length victory in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (G1).
His performance at The Curragh propelled him past Al Hudaiba (Dubawi), who holds 44 points after winning the Summer Stakes (G1) in Canada. Darkness Falls also surged into contention, reaching 32 points after cruising to victory in the Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown in its inaugural run as a G1.
The son of Camelot, trained by Aidan O’Brien, immediately established himself among the elite of his generation, keeping intact a campaign that is already building high expectations for the major classics of 2027.
Sun Goddess builds a cushion
Among the 2-year-old fillies, however, a much clearer leader has emerged. Sun Goddess reached 84 points and opened up a considerable advantage in the Cartier 2-Year-Old Filly division thanks to her authoritative victory over Green Empress (Saxon Warrior) in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1). The Coolmore representative, a daughter of Sioux Nation, had previously defeated Folsom Blues in the Phoenix Stakes (G1), giving her two top-tier victories on her record. Behind her sits Senorita Bonita (Starspangledbanner) with 56 points, while Green Empress holds 40 following her second-place effort at The Curragh.
Created in 1991, the Cartier Racing Awards will celebrate their 36th edition this year, with the ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, November 18 in London.
Several of the most critical events on the European calendar remain, and every result has the potential to dramatically shift the standings. Champions Day, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and the major international fixtures at year's end will offer fresh opportunities to secure points.
For now, Bow Echo retains a lead from retirement that his rivals are pressing to erase on the track. Scandinavia has closed the gap to just 8 points, while Blue Bolt continues her rise with a flawless record. The Irish Champions Festival has concluded, but its impact on the Cartier race is only beginning to be felt.
