The champion Calandagan is the deserving European Horse of the Year for 2026
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Winner of three G1 races during the season, he claimed the sport’s top honor at the Cartier Awards
LONDON, England (Special for Turf Diario) – European racing enjoyed one of its great nights last Wednesday with the presentation of the 35th Cartier Racing Awards at the traditional Dorchester Hotel, where France, Ireland and Australia shared the spotlight in an edition defined by diversity and extraordinary quality. The star of the evening was Calandagan, who captured the sport’s highest honor, being named Cartier Horse of the Year, capping an exceptional campaign and adding a new golden chapter to the legendary Aga Khan breeding operation.
The son of Gleneagles, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, was coming off a dream 2025 season, highlighted by monumental victories in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. (G1) and the QIPCO Champion S. (G1) — a historic double previously achieved only by Brigadier Gerard (Queen’s Hussar) in 1972. The bay also secured the Cartier Older Horse title, completing an unforgettable double.
Accepting the top honor was Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who underlined the emotional significance of a horse that also honors the legacy of her father, who passed away in February.“Calandagan is very special for all of us, the result of many years of work by many people. Tonight means a great deal for the family and for the operation,” she said.
Graffard, meanwhile, experienced his first gala as a central figure:“It’s been a year of huge emotions. This horse improves every day and showed it again in the Champion Stakes, where he ran an extraordinary race.”The trainer also confirmed that Calandagan is already on his way to Japan for his next challenge, one of the major attractions expected to headline the international season finale.
One of the most emotional moments of the night was the standing ovation for Brough Scott, recipient of the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit. Former jockey, journalist, author, television figure and cornerstone of the Racing Post, Scott reflected on more than 60 years in the sport with both emotion and clarity.“The Racing Post gave me a passport to the world,” he said, recalling legends from Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerardto Frankel, alongside memories of Easy Goer, Sunday Silence, and the epic career of Lester Piggott.
While Calandagan claimed the top prize, the team that dominated the evening in terms of volume was Coolmore, sweeping several of the juvenile and three-year-old categories.
Delacroix (Wootton Bassett), winner of the Coral-Eclipse and the Irish Champion S., was named Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt. Charlie Pearson highlighted both the colt’s class and Ryan Moore’s composure during a season filled with challenges and recoveries.
The brilliant Minnie Hauk (Frankel), winner of four Oaks — Cheshire, Epsom, Irish and Yorkshire — was crowned Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly. Breeder Ben Sangster expressed his pride:“You don’t get fillies like this every year. It’s been a privilege to be part of her journey.”
In the juvenile divisions, Gstaad (Starspangledbanner), hero of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, was named Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt, while Precise (Starspangledbanner), brilliant winner of the Moyglare Stud S. and the Fillies’ Mile, earned the title of Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly — both representing Aidan O’Brien.
The international flair came courtesy of Australian speedster Asfoora (Flying Artie), who took home the Cartier Sprinter award after her electrifying victories in the Nunthorpe S. (G1) and the Prix de l’Abbaye (G1). Her trainer Henry Dwyer emphasized the magnitude of the achievement:“Travel halfway around the world and win three G1s in Europe from a modest family… that’s what makes this sport so great.”
Her rider Oisin Murphy added:“She has an exceptional temperament. Days like York and Longchamp stay with you forever.”
The sole British flag to fly on stage belonged to Trawlerman (Golden Horn), honored as Cartier Stayer following a flawless campaign that included a top-class Gold Cup (G1). Representing Godolphin, Hugh Anderson praised the patience of John & Thady Gosden and the long journey of the seven-year-old:“He just keeps getting better with age — like a fine wine.”
