Her Majesty The Queen's filly Estimate provided one of the highpoints of the 2013 Flat season when winning the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and her owner was delighted to personally accept the CARTIER STAYER AWARD.
Footage of The Queen receiving the Award at Buckingham Palace on Monday (November 11) from Arnaud Bamberger, Cartier UK's Executive Chairman, and Harry Herbert, Cartier's Racing Consultant, was shown yesterday (Tuesday, November 12) evening to the 330 invited guests at the 2013 Cartier Racing Awards at London's Dorchester Hotel.
Footage of The Queen receiving the Award at Buckingham Palace on Monday (November 11) from Arnaud Bamberger, Cartier UK's Executive Chairman, and Harry Herbert, Cartier's Racing Consultant, was shown yesterday (Tuesday, November 12) evening to the 330 invited guests at the 2013 Cartier Racing Awards at London's Dorchester Hotel.
The Queen looked thrilled to be receiving the Award and said: "Thank you very much indeed and it's very nice to accept the award on behalf of Estimate, who did all the work.
"That's very kind. Estimate is sitting in a field at Sandringham now having a rest and watching the deer and things like that. Perhaps she'll come back into training next year.
"I shall be thrilled to keep that (the Cartier Award trophy) and have it as a memento. I was just looking at it and thinking it could join all the trophies we have at Ascot. We have all the trophies. I have actually managed to win the Gold Cup, which is unusual."
Runaway Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Treve was named both CARTIER HORSE OF THE YEAR and winner of the CARTIER THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY AWARDand Nasser Alhaabi, PR Manager to H.E. Sheikh Joaan Al-Thani, revealed the background to the owner's Al Shaqab Racing.
"Al Shaqab was a battle between the Ottomans in 1893 which, under Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, led to Qatar's independence. This is why we call it Al Shaqab, which is the leading equestrian centre in Qatar," said Alhaabi. "They have one of the best breeding facilities in the world, especially in show breeding and today we have Al Shaqab Racing. It is an emerging force in racing thoroughbreds and we wish to be here for many years to come.
"This is amazing for all of us, especially us the Qataris. Last year we had the amazing Frankel, we had superstar sprinter Black Caviar and this year we have Treve, I think she's an unbelievable horse. She has this amazing acceleration.
"I was at Royal Ascot and a journalist asked me why Al Shaqab Racing favoured racing in France. I answered him by asking him which one Group One race he would want to win. But we would like to show our appreciation to the British. Next year and in the upcoming seasons we will be sponsoring some races in Britain."
The CARTIER AWARD OF MERIT was presented to Jim Bolger, one of the outstanding trainers and breeders of recent years. Bolger wanted to congratulate one of his many successful proteges, A P McCoy, who was at the Awards Dinner having recently ridden his 4,000th winner as a jump jockey.
"I must congratulate Anthony. I always call him Anthony because many years ago when he first came to the yard I heard somebody call him Tony after a few days and he said 'my name if Anthony'. So he remained that as long as he was with us," said Bolger. "Nobody is happier than I am to be proven wrong. I now realise that you probably were tough enough to be a jump jockey!"
Reflecting on his own career, Bolger added: "We trainers don't need to be smart, we just need a little staying power. Hopefully, I have a little staying power and hopefully it will stay with me. Thanks to everybody who made it possible to be here. Especially my long-serving wife Jackie. She happens to be the champion owner in Ireland and I'd like to be the first to congratulate her. And Kevin Manning my jockey and all of my staff past and present, including the ones who are here tonight. Thank you all for coming here and sorry for eating into your sleeping time."
American-based owner George Strawbridge travelled to London specially to collect theCARTIER OLDER HORSE AWARD, won by his outstanding filly Moonlight Cloud.
He said: "Everybody in this room knows that it's the most competitive racing in the world here. Moonlight Cloud has always been the underdog. I will never forget I got the picture after she won her first race at Deauville and thought what a small animal with such fragile legs and how could she possibly campaign on this continent. And then Alec Head said to me after we watched her in the Moulin 'look at her George, nobody would ever buy her at a yearling sales!". But also nobody would buy Treve at the yearling sale. So they must have missed all those boxes that the bloodstock agents are always ticking off!
"Moonlight Cloud is a very kind, gentle affectionate horse. She could be hugged, patted and squeezed before she even competed. Yet when she did compete, she had the heart of a lion, laser concentration and the unbelievable brilliance of speed. She is such a credit to Freddy Head. She was in love with him and Thierry Jarnet. She didn't love me because she didn't know me! But we were all in love with her so thank you all very much."
Paul Smith, owner of Group One Racing Post Trophy winner Kingston Hill, was on hand to pick up the CARTIER TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT AWARD and he outlined the rollercoaster few weeks he has just enjoyed.
"Two months ago this horse didn't even have a name," said Smith. "But he has since broken his maiden, won a Group Three and the Racing Post Trophy and now he has won this Award, so it's incredible."
Breeders' Cup heroine Chriselliam took the CARTIER TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY AWARD and her joint-owners Chris Wright, Emily Asprey and Willie Carson collected her trophy.
Wright recalled: "It was during the Dante meeting at York in May that Charlie (Hills) called me up and said 'we've got a superstar here Chris'. It took a while for it to come together but under his careful attention we finally got there... I just wish the Guineas were taking place in the next two weeks on good to firm ground anywhere in the world."
Another horse to star at Santa Anita earlier this month, Breeders' Cup Turf heroMagician, took the CARTIER THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT AWARD. J P Magnier, whose parents John and Sue part-own the son of Galileo, picked up their trophy.
"Obviously, it has been well publicised that this horse had a few issues with swimming through the year so a big well done has to go to Aidan (O'Brien) and the team at Ballydoyle for the good job to enable the horse to go from a three and a half month lay-off to the Breeders' Cup," said Magnier.
Bargain-buy Lethal Force, owned by father and son Alan and Robin Craddock, won theCARTIER SPRINTER AWARD.
"After Clive Cox had the horse in the stable for a few weeks he phoned us to say that we were going to have an awful lot of fun with this horse. Clive turned out to be absolutely right," said Alan Craddock. "Lethal won a Group Two, he came second in two Group Twos and then went on to win two Group Ones and be second in a Group One. So Robin and I give our sincere thanks to Clive and again we thank Cartier for this magnificent occasion."
Full speeches from the 2013 Cartier Racing Awards winners.
Paul Smith, Kingston Hill: "Two months ago this horse didn't even have a name. But he has since broken his maiden, won a Group Three and the Racing Post Trophy and now he has won this Award, so it's incredible. The success is due to a number of people - firstly, I'd like to thank everybody at Kremlin House - particularly Gay and Jackie Jarvis. Secondly I'd like to thank Andrea Atzeni, who has ridden this horse with such confidence throughout the season. And of course I'd like to thank the inspired training of Roger Varian, who has made such a promising start to his training career.
"Back in 2008 I was honoured to be asked by the Coolmore 'lads' as they have come to be known, to accept this very same award on behalf of a horse who is very close to my heart, Mastercraftsman. It makes this award even more special that Kingston Hill has helped propel Mastercraftsman to the top of the first-season sires' list. I'd like to thank Cartier, The Daily Telegraph, Racing Post and Channel 4 for hosting such a fabulous evening."
Chris Wright, Chriselliam: "First of all let me say how lucky we all are to own a filly like Chriselliam. It makes of all of the time, effort, passion and not to mention money that we put into the sport that we love worthwhile. Thank you to Cartier and its media partners for these awards that are such a part of racing these days. It's unbelievable what a success it has been, now in its 23rd year.
"Also a huge thank you to Charlie Hills, what a start to his training career. It was during the Dante meeting at York in May that Charlie called me up and said 'we've got a superstar here Chris'. It took a while for it to come together but under his careful attention we finally got there. A huge thank you to Richard Hughes, who is the only jockey in the country who could have got on her in the Shadwell Fillies' Mile in the belief that she could win. What an unbelievably confident race he rode at Santa Anita, we were lucky that the Richard Hannon yard didn't have a runner in the race. Also to Alastair Donald, who selected the filly for us despite the fact we owned the four-year-old half-sister that we rather foolishly named Janicellaine after our wives, as such we had to sell her as she had temperament issues. We didn't make the same mistake with Chriselliam, who we named after the boys. I must thank the wives who supported the decision that we would retain her when we were faced with multiple threats to dispose of her. It was remarkable that Janice, Elaine and Lucy all decided she wasn't for sale - well done girls for doing that. Finally, I wish the Guineas were taking place in the next two weeks on good to firm ground anywhere in the world."
J P Magnier, Magician: "On behalf of my parents, the Tabors and the Smiths, a big thank you to Cartier for putting on a great evening and also to The Daily Telegraph, Racing Post amd Channel 4. Obviously, it has been well publicised that this horse had a few issues with swimming through the year so a big well done has to go to Aidan and the team at Ballydoyle for the good job to enable the horse to go from a three and a half month lay-off to the Breeders' Cup. As you saw on TV, Ryan Moore gave him a great ride and also to Joseph, who won the Guineas on him."
Nasser Alhaabi, Treve - Three-Year-Old Filly: "I'd like to congratulate the other winners and everybody who has tried to win. This was an amazing year. His Excellency Sheikh Joaan would like to congratulate everybody who participated in this win - Madame Head and all the trainers including the Hannon and Botti teams and all the jockeys including the excellent Richard Hughes and the injured Frankie Dettori. We hope he has a fast recovery."
Alan Craddock, Lethal Force: "I'd like to thank Cartier for this splendid evening with the good food and good wine. Secondly, I'd like to thank our trainer and friend Mr Clive Cox, who found Lethal Force as a yearling. After he'd had the horse in the stable for a few weeks he phoned us to say that we were going to have an awful lot of fun with this horse. Clive turned out to be absolutely right. Lethal won a Group Two, he came second in two Group Twos and then went on to win two Group Oness and be second in a Group One. So Robin and I give our sincere thanks to Clive and again we thank Cartier for this magnificent occasion."
Her Majesty The Queen, Estimate (on film): "Thank you very much indeed and it's very nice to accept the award on behalf of Estimate, who did all the work. That's very kind. Estimate is sitting in a field at Sandringham now having a rest and watching the deer and things like that. Perhaps she'll come back into training next year. I shall be thrilled to keep that (the Cartier Award trophy) and have it as a memento. I was just looking at it and thinking it could join all the trophies we have at Ascot. We have all the trophies. I have actually managed to win the Gold Cup, which is unusual."
George Strawbridge, Moonlight Cloud: "Everybody in this room knows that it's the most competitive racing in the world here. Moonlight Cloud has always been the underdog. I will never forget I got the picture after she won her first race at Deauville and thought what a small animal with such fragile legs and how could she possibly campaign on this continent. And then Alec Head said to me after we watched her in the Moulin 'look at her George, nobody would ever buy her at a yearling sales!". But also nobody would buy Treve at the yearling sale. So they must have missed all those boxes that the bloodstock agents are always ticking off! Moonlight Cloud is a very kind, gentle affectionate horse. She could be hugged, patted and squeezed before she even competed. Yet when she did compete, she had the heart of a lion, laser concentration and the unbelievable brilliance of speed. She is such a credit to Freddy Head. She was in love with him and Thierry Jarnet. She didn't love me because she didn't know me! But we were all in love with her so thank you all very much."
Criquette Head-Maarek, Treve - Cartier Horse of The Year: "To all the trainers, because we all get up in the morning in early, the jockeys, all our help, the breeders and people who look after horses. We are all together in the job and it is a fantastic way of living. Even if it is difficult for many people, sometimes you come across a horse like Treve and then you're on a cloud. I'd like to thank my Dad. I wish he could have been here tonight but he couldn't make it. I thank everyone."
Nasser Alhaabi: "Al Shaqab was a battle between the Ottomans in 1893 which, under Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, led to Qatar's independence. This is why we call it Al Shaqab, which is the leading equestrian centre in Qatar. They have one of the best breeding facilities in the world, especially in show breeding and today we have Al Shaqab Racing. It is an emerging force in racing thoroughbreds and we wish to be here for many years to come.
"This is amazing for all of us, especially us the Qataris. Last year we had the amazing Frankel, we had superstar sprinter Black Caviar and this year we have Treve, I think she's an unbelievable horse. She has this amazing acceleration, especially in the Vermeille. She just had that change of foot and was amazing.
"I was at Royal Ascot and a journalist asked me why Al Shaqab Racing favoured racing in France. I answered him by asking him one Group One race we would want to win. We would like to show our appreciation to the British. Next year and in the upcoming seasons we will be sponsoring some races in Britain.
"We would like to see a better racing environment. We would like to be at the top in everything and the leaders in competition. We always like to win but we like to be beaten as well. We hope to be here next year, we cross our fingers. I thank our team, also Thierry Jarnet, an amazing guy and jockey, and Stephanie, the person handling Treve. Thank you everybody, it is an amazing feeling."
Jim Bolger - Cartier / The Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit: "Harry (Herbert) referred to Shakespeare, I like to call him William Shakespeare. He had a few words about sleep as well. Those words can be consoling for the troubled racehorse trainer.
"In these times there are lots of troubled racehorse trainers. The ones that are up there are worried about the young fellows coming through and nipping at their heels. As I tell Eddie Lynam, Ger Lyons and David Wachman and all those young fellows in Ireland, I spend the nights tossing and turning and worried about these fellows coming up and giving me a hard time. We have a good laugh about it from time to time.
"The great Dermot Weld once asked me if I'd realised how few surprises you get in racing. I've been able to outline to him a few occasions when I've been surprised but none more so than tonight.
"Anyway getting back to William Shakespeare. He said 'Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care, balm of hurt mind, sore labour's bath'. I think he had the racehorse trainer in mind when he was talking about troubled minds and the labour's bath because if you don't work hard in this business it just doesn't work for you.
"I don't want to eat into your sleeping time too long but first of all I'd like to thank all the people who made it possible for the 16-man panel to be so reckless to recommend me for an award of merit. I accept it. I'm as gracious as I am surprised to get it. Thank you very much.
"I'd like to congratulate my number one pupil of the moment. I say of the moment because I know there will be more to come and I have some young fellows at home in the yard who almost every day are comparing themselves to Aidan O'Brien, Kevin Manning, Anthony McCoy, Willie Mullins or David Wachman or whoever and it must be depressing for them.
"I must congratulate Anthony. I always call him Anthony because many years ago when he first came to the yard I heard somebody call him Tony after a few days and he said 'my name if Anthony'. So he remained that as long as he was with us. If that's what his mother wanted to call him then that's what we would call him. Look what you people have done to him over the years! Anyway congratulations Anthony and we're all thrilled for you.
"Nobody is happier than I am to be proven wrong. I now realise that you probably were tough enough to be a jump jockey, and even if you say so yourself, you were never going to be a brain surgeon.
"I'm a slow learner myself. I'm what I know to be of average intelligence, which I found out pretty soon at secondary school. In my last year there you had the chance to do Pass English and Honours English. On the Honours English course, we had Paradise Lost. I had secured three copies of Paradise Lost of which two were for sale and I was keeping one for myself. Until the eminent Christian Brother came down. He always called me Jimmy and said 'Jimmy, you won't be needing those'. I said 'that's great, in that case I have three for sale'.
"I was a racegoer for 17 years before I became a racehorse trainer, which is a job that suits me really well because there are no quick decisions to be made. I don't have to be terribly dexterous with my hands or be thinking there's a brain surgeon lost in me. You can get a mare, like I did, and you can spend 6-10 months thinking about what sire you will use and whether you can afford him or not. Nothing happens too quickly, you don't have to be quick on your feet or your mind. Then the mare takes her time, it's at least nine months before she delivers her foal. Then there's another two years before you decide what you will do with the foal. I know you can make plenty of mistakes when you get to that stage but nothing needs to be done in a hurry. We get them broken and then decide what the best trip might be, which you can ask the fellow with his foot in each iron. The trainer can just ask the questions and we hopefully get the right answer. On that score I'd love to be as quick and as talented as the late Harry Wragg. He said he could measure a horse's distance to the length of a walking stick. I'm hardly able to do it to half the length of my gallop so you can see the standard of training is deteriorating through the years.
"When it comes to the entries, you could be looking into them on Sunday and Monday. Then you have another few days to decide where you are going to run. It just shows that we trainers don't need to be smart, we just need a little staying power. Hopefully, I have a little staying power and hopefully it will stay with me. Thanks to everybody who made it possible to be here. Especially my long-serving wife Jackie. She happens to be the champion owner in Ireland and I'd like to be the first to congratulate her. And Kevin Manning my jockey and all of my staff past and present, including the ones who are here tonight. Thank you all for coming here and sorry for eating into your sleeping time."
Yesterday's release announcing the winners is below for your information.
UNBEATEN TREVE IS CARTIER HORSE OF THE YEAR FOR 2013
Unbeaten three-year-old filly Treve was acclaimed the Cartier Horse of the Year at the 23rd annual Cartier Racing Awards, European horseracing's equivalent of the Oscars, presented before an invited audience of 330 at the Dorchester Hotel, London, England on the evening of Tuesday, November 12.
Trained in France by Criquette Head-Maarek for Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, the daughter of Motivator has triumphed on all five of her starts, the latest three in Group Ones. She rounded off 2013 with a stunning five-length success in Europe's richest race, the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, and will remain in training next year.
Treve saw off strong opposition in the Cartier Horse of the Year category from Sky Lantern, Moonlight Cloud, Novellist and Al Kazeem. She also takes the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Award, again ahead of Sky Lantern, with Just The Judge, Chicquita, and Talent the other nominees.
There is compensation for Moonlight Cloud as she captures the Cartier Older Horse Award. Trained by Criquette's brother, Freddy Head, in France for American owner George Strawbridge, the five-year-old mare is unbeaten this year and has enjoyed three Group One victories - the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest, the Prix Du Haras De Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois and the Qatar Prix de la Foret. There is also the prospect of further glory as she heads out to the Longines Hong Kong International Races next month. Novellist, Al Kazeem, Declaration Of War and Farhh were the other Cartier Older Horse nominees.
The Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt was a competitive category, with the honours going toMagician. Owned by a Coolmore syndicate and trained by Aidan O'Brien, the Galileo colt won a Classic - the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas - over a mile in May and, after missing the middle part of the season, was brought back to action with a stunning victory on the world stage in the 12-furlong Grade One Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita, USA, on November 2. The other nominees in this category were Toronado, Dawn Approach, Trading Leather and Ruler Of The World.
Group One Racing Post Trophy hero Kingston Hill is the best horse to have been trained by Roger Varian and Paul Smith-owned colt just takes the accolade of Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt by the narrowest of margins from War Command followed by Toormore, Outstrip and Sudirman.
Chriselliam capped off a tremendous first season with victories in the Group One Shadwell Fillies' Mile at Newmarket and the Grade One Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf at Santa Anita, USA. She is the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly and gives part-owner and former champion Flat jockey Willie Carson a huge chance of Classic success in 2014. Also nominated in this category were Rizeena, Indonesienne, Vorda and Lucky Kristale.
Lethal Force was in fine form over the summer, recording consecutive Group One victories in Royal Ascot's Diamond Jubilee Stakes and the Darley July Cup at Newmarket. The best horse trained by Clive Cox saw off opposition from Society Rock, Gordon Lord Byron, Slade Power and Sole Power to be the Cartier Sprinter.
The biggest cheer of the week at Royal Ascot in 2013 came when Her Majesty The Queen's Estimate landed the Group One Gold Cup in thrilling fashion. The four-year-old filly takes the honours in the Cartier Stayer category ahead of Altano, Tac De Boistron, Brown Panther and Red Cadeaux.
Jim Bolger collects the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit for 2013. The Irishman can be proud of a career that began in the 1970s and has encompassed lots of success as a trainer, owner and breeder. His role as nurturer of human talent should also be emphasised, with Aidan O'Brien and A P McCoy among the many who started to learn their trade under the watchful eye of this master trainer.
About The Cartier Awards
The Cartier Awards were established in 1991 to reward excellence in horseracing. They are determined by points earned by horses in Pattern races throughout 2013 (40%), combined at the end of season with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists (40%) and votes from readers of Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph plus Channel 4 viewers (20%).
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 16-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done the most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.
Cartier Horse Of The Year & Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly
TREVE (FR)
3b f Motivator - Trevise (FR) (Anabaa (USA))
2013 Form: 1111
Owner: His Excellency Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani
Trainer: Criquette Head-Maarek FR
Breeder: Haras du Quesnay
Treve's stunning victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe propelled her into the pantheon of racing's great fillies. Trained by Criquette Head-Maarek and owned by Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, her five-length success at Longchamp witnessed the union of one racing's oldest dynasties with one of its newest. Following a brilliant unbeaten campaign in 2013, the outstanding daughter of Motivator receives the Cartier Racing Awards for Horse Of The Year and Three-Year-Old Filly
Treve was bred at Haras du Quesnay, the Normandy stud owned by Criquette Head-Maarek's parents Alec and Ghislaine. The Head family's involvement in racing can be traced back to mid-19th century, starting with the Jennings brothers Henry and Tom, who were leading trainers on both sides of the English Channel, through to William Head, a successful jockey and handler, to Criquette and Freddy's father Alec, a legendary figure in French racing.
Like her trainer, Treve's pedigree is steeped in racing royalty. Her fourth dam, Trillion, was a champion on turf in North America, a Group One winner in France and finished second in the 1978 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Trillion was the dam of the brilliant mare Triptych, who captured nine Group One races in a glittering career, while Derby and King George hero Generous and dual Classic heroine Imagine also feature among her family. Moonlight Cloud, who captured a sixth Group One for Freddy Head in the Qatar Prix de la Foret on the same Longchamp card as Treve's magnificent Arc victory, is another distant relative.
Treve is out of another Head-homebred Trevise, a daughter of the 1996 European champion sprinter Anabaa who was owned by Alec, trained by Criquette and ridden by Freddy. Trevise defeated multiple Group One heroine Six Perfections on her debut at Chantilly in 2002 but failed to build on such a promising start. Treve is the mare's second foal following Trois Rois, who finished third in the Group Two Prix Greffulhe and captured a Listed contest at Marseille for Freddy.
Despite her breeding, Treve failed to sell as a yearling at Arqana's yearling sale in October, 2011, attracting a bid of just 22,000 euros, and she returned back to the Heads' Haras du Quesnay. Coincidentally, Motivator also headed to the family's stud the following year, with Alec Head, a shareholder in the stallion, recognising the 2005 Derby winner's rising stock amongst French breeders.
Treve came into training at Head-Maarek's Chantilly yard and immediately displayed distinct signs of ability. The electrifying turn of foot, which would become her trademark, soon became apparent and even the trainer's top juvenile colts could not keep up with her.
A planned debut at Deauville's August meeting was shelved to give Treve more time to develop and she made her racecourse debut in a mile contest for unraced fillies at Longchamp in September, 2012. A sudden injection of pace took Treve clear of her rivals and Thierry Jarnet was able to ease his mount near the line for a cosy length and a half success.
After this pleasing introduction, Treve was put away for the winter and she made her seasonal return in a minor contest over a mile at Saint-Cloud on May 15. Once again, the filly showed an impressive turn of foot for a facile success.
Entries for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe closed on the same day as that Saint-Cloud victory and Head-Maarek opted not to enter the Treve in the autumn showpiece. While the Prix de Diane Longines and the Qatar Prix Vermeille had always been the plan, the trainer felt that the autumn highlight would come a year too soon for the light-framed filly.
Treve headed to Chantilly for the Prix de Diane Longines over an extended mile and a quarter on June 16. Although lining up as the only unbeaten filly in in the Classic, she faced stiff opposition in the form of Flotilla, Esoterique and Tasaday - the first three in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches - and Pour Moi Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary heroine Silasol.
Settled at the rear of the 11 runners by Thierry Jarnet, Treve showed blistering acceleration entering the final quarter-mile to settle the race in a matter of strides. She readily skipped clear of the field, beating subsequent Darley Irish Oaks scorer Chiquita by four lengths and shaving a full two seconds off the previous race record set by Confidential Lady seven years earlier.
Attention immediately focused on Longchamp in the autumn, with Head-Maarek reiterating that Treve's principal objective would be the Qatar Prix Vermeille rather than the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe three weeks later. The filly had a break ahead of her end of season target.
Those plans changed in mid-July as Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani purchased Treve in a multi-million euro deal. Like his cousin Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, the Qatari royal had already made a noticeable impact in the racing world in a matter of months through a string of high-profile acquisitions including Olympic Glory, Toronado and Style Vendome.
Treve remained with Head-Maarek but the decision was made add her to the field for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for a cost of 100,000 euros if she performed well in the Qatar Prix Vermeille.
After impressing her trainer with her physical development over the summer, Treve stepped up to a mile and a half for the first time the Qatar Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on September 15, this time with Sheikh Joaan's retained jockey Frankie Dettori in the saddle.
While the Prix de Diane Longines had been run at a searching pace, the 10 runners dawdled along this time in the style of a typical Arc trial. Treve found herself caught behind a wall of horses entering the straight. She briefly had to wait until finding enough space to unleash her trademark run, coming through to take the advantage inside the final furlong for an eventually cosy win over Wild Coco.
Bookmakers were suitably impressed with Treve and her odds for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe tumbled, particularly after Head-Maarek issued an upbeat bulletin following filly's final piece of work before the big race. The only cause for concern came when Frankie Dettori broke his ankle four days beforehand in a tumble at Nottingham, opening the door for Thierry Jarnet to reclaim the ride.
Lining up as least experienced in a field of 17 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Treve faced a formidable task. Japanese raider Orfevre was bidding to avenge his narrow defeat 12 months earlier, while further interest from the Far East was provided by Japanese Derby winner Kizuna. Intello, Ruler Of The World and Leading Light headed to the Bois de Boulogne with European Classics to their names, while four-year-old Al Kazeem had already annexed two of Britain's premier middle distance contests, the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and the Coral-Eclipse.
Treve, not helped by stall 15, broke slowly and almost immediately looked to have forfeited any chance as she raced keenly on the outside of the runners, without any cover to help her settle. Despite fighting her jockey for much of the race, remarkably the filly cruised up to take third on the bridle entering the straight.
With a quarter of a mile to race, Treve was asked by Jarnet and the response was immediate as she darted clear to open up a four-length advantage passing the furlong-pole. The rest of the field had no answer to her brilliant acceleration and she was left to pass the winning post in splendid isolation, five lengths ahead of Orfevre in second. For her trainer, it was a second victory in the great race, 34 years after she sent out another exceptional filly, Three Troikas, to victory in 1979.
In just five starts, Treve has rightly gained her place as the queen of European racing. She is set to stay in training as a four-year-old and attempt to defend her crown in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. She could even race over a mile or a mile and a quarter according to her trainer, who states that Treve "could do anything". After such an outstanding campaign, few would disagree with her.
Cartier Older Horse
MOONLIGHT CLOUD
5 b m Invincible Spirit (IRE) - Ventura (Spectrum (IRE))
Form: 114/172115/121418-1111
Owner/Breeder: George Strawbridge
Trainer: Freddy Head, France
Moonlight Cloud cemented her status as one of Europe= s greatest racemares with an unbeaten campaign in 2013, which yielded three Group One triumphs.
Bred and owned by George Strawbridge, Moonlight Cloud is from the family of dual Classic winner Imagine and 1991 Derby hero Generous. She joined French handler Freddy Head as a yearling and enjoyed success on two of her three starts as a juvenile, annexing minor seven-furlong events at Deauville and Longchamp in August and September, 2010.
After winning the Prix Imprudence impressively at Maisons-Laffitte the following April, Moonlight Cloud was sent off favourite for the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but failed to see out her first attempt at a mile. The daughter of Invincible Spirit was dropped back in trip for the remainder of the season and scored twice in four starts, headlined by a devastating four-length success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest - Goldikova at Deauville in August.
Moonlight Cloud began 2012 with a smooth performance in the Group Three Prix du Palais-Royal in early June, and nearly stunned the world of racing when running the mighty Black Caviar to head in the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
A return to Deauville in August saw Moonlight Cloud record a facile five-length verdict over subsequent Group One winner Wizz Kid in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, but she endured a troubled passage when fourth to Excelebration in the mile Group One Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard - Jacques Le Marois, just a week later.
She conclusively proved a mile was within her compass in the autumn when getting the better of Farhh in a titanic finish to the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over a mile, but disappointed when trailing home eighth of nine behind Wise Dan in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita, California, USA, in November.
Moonlight Cloud commenced the 2013 season with an easy two-length win in the Group Three seven-furlong Prix de la Porte Maillot at Longchamp on July 7, before heading back to Deauville for a third consecutive LARC Prix de Maurice de Gheest on August 4. A field of 14 included Diamond Jubilee Stakes hero Lethal Force, who went on to take the Darley July Cup in a record time, and top Irish sprinter Gordon Lord Byron, but they proved no match for Freddy Head's mare, who scored decisively in a track record time. She also became only the second horse to win the Prix Maurice de Gheest three times, following on from Marchand D'Or (2006, 2007 & 2008), who was also trained by Freddy Head.
Connections focused their attention on the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard - Jacques Le Marois a week later, determined to atone for the previous year's unlucky defeat. It was billed as the race of the season with the 13-strong line-up also featuring two Classic winners in Dawn Approach and Intello, Queen Anne Stakes hero Declaration Of War, four-time Group One scorer Elusive Kate and the Richard Hannon-trained Olympic Glory. A solid pace was assured with three pacemakers deployed and that, coupled with fast ground, allowed Moonlight Cloud to showcase her electric turn of foot, which sent her clear entering the final furlong. She looked in full control with 100 yards to go, but Olympic Glory closed with every stride on the run to the line to force a photograph. Moonlight Cloud held on by a short-head in a course record time, eclipsing her former stable mate Goldikova =s record by just over a tenth of a second.
After a deserved break, Moonlight Cloud returned for a tilt at the Qatar Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs on October 6, the penultimate Group One of Longchamp =s brilliant Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend. Treve=s scintillating performance under Jarnet in the feature contest for Freddy Head's sister, Criquette, had brightened an otherwise gloomy afternoon on the Bois de Boulogne, but Moonlight Cloud was not to be outdone and produced an equally impressive display. She was given a patient ride by Jarnet and was still last as the field flashed past the two-furlong marker, but unleashed a breathtaking change of gear under the ice-cool pilot to swamp her rivals and score easing down by three lengths.
Her next start will be in the Group One Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on December 8, after which a decision will be made about whether she stays in training.
Win, lose or draw, Moonlight Cloud=s Group One treble this season will live long in the memory and her potent turn of foot marks her down as a mare of uncommon quality.
Cartier Stayer
ESTIMATE (IRE)
4 b f Monsun (GER) - Ebaziya (IRE) (Darshaan)
Form: 7/1133-117
Owner: Her Majesty The Queen
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Breeder: HH The Aga Khan's Studs S C
Estimate receives the accolade of Cartier Champion Stayer following an historic success for Her Majesty The Queen in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
Estimate is the result of an 80th birthday present from the Aga Khan through which The Queen was allowed to use six of his mares, with the Royal Studs choosing the stallions.
The product of this agreement was a rangy bay filly by Monsun, out of the celebrated broodmare Ebaziya.
Monsun, the preeminent sire in Germany until his death in 2012, is a renowned stamina influence and responsible for 2007 World Champion Manduro, among others, while Ebaziya hails from a family laden with stamina.
The daughter of Darshaan won three Listed races when trained by John Oxx in 1992 and has established herself as one of the all-time great European broodmares. She is responsible for seven Black Type performers, with her first three foals all scoring at Group One level - Ebadiyla captured the Irish Oaks and Prix Royal Oak in 1997, Ebadiya annexed the Moyglare Stakes in 1998 and Enzeli stormed to victory in the 1999 Gold Cup.
Estimate was sent to 10-time champion UK Flat trainer Sir Michael Stoute and ran only once at two. But her debut did not suggest she was destined for stardom, finishing seventh of 11 behind subsequent Group Three winner Esentepe in a mile maiden at Leicester in September, 2011.
However, she returned the following May with an eye-catching performance in a 12-furlong maiden at Salisbury, staying on strongly to score by two and three quarter lengths.
This set up her up for tilt at the Group Three Queen= s Vase over two miles at Royal Ascot and, despite her lack of experience, she was sent off the 3/1 favourite. Partnered by Ryan Moore for the first time, the result never looked in doubt and she recorded an impressive five-length success.
Estimate was dropped to a mile and three quarters for the remainder of the 2012 season and ran with credit behind Wild Coco in the Group Three iShares Fillies = Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and the Group Two DFS Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster, finishing third on both occasions.
Connections went into the winter harbouring Gold Cup ambitions and Estimate staked her claim for Europe =s most prestigious staying contest in the Group Three Sagaro Stakes over two miles at Ascot in May. It was her first start in open company, but she handled the assignment with aplomb and stayed on strongly to score by a length and three quarters.
On Gold Cup Day, Estimate headed the market for the feature contest, but still had plenty to prove. She was bidding to become the first filly to triumph since Indian Queen in 1991 and was tackling the two and a half mile distance for the first time.
Her 13 rivals included some of best stayers in Europe, but expectations were high and Estimate delivered in gutsy fashion under a determined ride from Ryan Moore. After moving to the front a furlong out, she repelled the persistent challenge of Simenon and French raider Top Trip to score by a neck.
It was a hugely popular result with Estimate becoming Her Majesty The Queen=s 22nd Royal Ascot winner and the first Gold Cup winner to be owned by a reigning monarch in the race´s 207-year history.
It also propelled Ebaziya into a league of her own, making her the only broodmare in history to produce four individual European Group One winners.
Cartier Sprinter
LETHAL FORCE (IRE)
4 gr c Dark Angel (IRE) - Land Army (IRE) (Desert Style (IRE))
2013 Form: 21129
Owner: Alan Craddock
Trainer: Clive Cox
Breeder: Declan Johnson
Lethal Force is from the first crop of Dark Angel, who retired to stud after an excellent juvenile campaign that included victory in Newmarket's Middle Park Stakes. Lethal Force, who became the sire's first Group One winner at Royal Ascot in June, certainly inherited his father's speed as well as his grey coat.
Initially sold as a yearling for 9,500 euros as a foal at Goffs in 2009, Lethal Force passed through the ring again as a yearling the following year, when trainer Clive Cox bought the colt for 8,500 euros on behalf of Alan Craddock.
Although he did not lose his maiden tag until the first start of his three-year-old campaign, Lethal Force showed a high level of form as a juvenile, finishing fourth in both the six-furlong Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and the seven-furlong Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, both Group Two events.
He continued to run well without winning following his maiden success over six furlongs at Bath, but the application of blinkers sharpened his focus in the seven-furlong Group Two Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury in August, 2012, as he made all of the running to beat Strong Suit by a neck.
Lethal Force had two more 2012 appearances, both over seven furlongs, coming home third in the Group Two OLBG Park Stakes at Doncaster before failing to land a blow on heavy ground in the Group One Qatar Prix de la Foret at Longchamp.
After showing plenty of pace, connections decided to try Lethal Force over sprint distances, without blinkers, in 2013 and he headed to York for his seasonal return in the six-furlong Group Two Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes on May 15. Always in a prominent position, he ran a superb race to go down by a head to Society Rock, a dual Group One-winning sprinter, with the pair finishing clear of another Group One scorer, Gordon Lord Byron.
Society Rock had conceded 5lb to Lethal Force at York but the pair re-opposed on level weights in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 22. The style of both sprinters contrasted markedly, with front-runner Lethal Force aiming to dominate from the front, while Society Rock would habitually break slowly before coming with a strong late run.
On this occasion, the raw speed of Lethal Force held sway as he made virtually all of the running to hold his York nemesis by two lengths, with Krypton Factor and Gordon Lord Byron coming home third and fourth respectively. For winning jockey Adam Kirby, the success provided a first Group One victory on British racing's biggest stage.
With the scores equal at one-one, Lethal Force and Society Rock took each other on for a third time in the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket on July 13, in a field that also featured Dubai Group One winner and South African champion Shea.
Once again, Lethal Force broke smartly and made all of the running to win in a new course record, with the only moment of panic coming when he jinked away from the stands' rail a furlong and a half out. Society Rock had to settle for second again, with Slade Power finishing third as Lethal Force broke the course record.
Lethal Force returned to France for Deauville's Group One LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs on August 4, when he once again attempted to make all but was collared in the closing stages by Moonlight Cloud to come home a fine second to the Freddy Head-trained filly.
Lethal Force made on more appearance, finishing ninth on unsuitable ground in the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park on September 7.
He was retired shortly afterwards to take up stallion duties at Cheveley Park Stud alongside fellow Group One-winning sprinters Pivotal and Mayson.
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt
KINGSTON HILL (GB)
2 b c Mastercraftsman (IRE) - Audacieuse (Rainbow Quest (USA))
2013 Form: 111
Owner: Paul Smith
Trainer: Roger Varian
Breeder: Ridgecourt Stud
In the space of five weeks, Kingston Hill went from unraced colt to a Group One winner and one of the favourites for next year's QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Investec Derby.
By leading first-season stallion Mastercraftsman, Kingston Hill is out of Audacieuse, a Group Three winner over 10 and a half furlongs in France. He was purchased for 70,000 guineas at Tattersalls October yearling sales in 2012 by Charlie Gordon-Watson for Paul Smith, son of leading owner Derrick who is involved in all the main Coolmore syndicates. The colt went into training with Roger Varian at Kremlin House Stables, Newmarket, where Smith had previously sent Robinson Cruso, a maiden winner at Pontefract, to be trained by the late Michael Jarvis.
With the Varian stable experiencing virus issues in high summer, Kingston Hill did not make his debut until September 21, when he readily captured a seven-furlong maiden on soft ground at Newbury, despite showing signs of inexperience.
Kingston Hill stepped up in class and distance as he headed to Newmarket on Future Champions Day, October 12 for the Group Three Autumn Stakes over a mile. Held up towards the rear of the eight runners, Kingston Hill quickened well under Andrea Atzeni to take the lead inside the furlong before going away for a two-length victory over Oklahoma City, in the colours of a certain Derrick Smith.
Kingston Hill was supplemented for the final Group One of the British season, the mile Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on October 26 for a cost of £17,500. That investment proved to be money well spent as he stayed on powerfully for a four and a half-length victory over Coolmore's Johann Strauss, relegating Smith senior to second once again. But while Derrick has enjoyed his fair share of Group One successes over the years, this was a first major win for his son and also the first domestic Group One for both Varian and Atzeni.
Kingston Hill heads into the winter as a leading contender for Classic honours and the colt looks set for a bright future, just like his owner, trainer and jockey.
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt
MAGICIAN (IRE)
3 b c Galileo (IRE) - Absolutelyfabulous (IRE) (Mozart (IRE))
2013 Form: 1191
Owners: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien IRE
Breeder: Absolutelyfabulous Syndicate
At the end of the 2012 season, Magician appeared to be some way down the pecking order for Classic glory among Coolmore's battalion of juveniles. He had one win to his name in four starts, taking a mile maiden at the Curragh on heavy ground by six lengths, and trailed home last on his final two-year-old appearance in the Group Three JRA Killavullan Stakes.
By Galileo, Magician is out Absolutelyfabulous, a Listed winner over six furlongs and a daughter of champion sprinter Mozart. Blessed with influences of stamina and speed in his pedigree, Magician started his three-year-old campaign as a middle-distance prospect and he made his seasonal return on the tight turns of Chester in the Group Three BetVictor.com Dee Stakes over 10 and a half furlongs on May 10.
Aidan O'Brien had already captured a Derby Trial on the Roodee the previous day with Ruler Of The World, a six-length winner of the MBNA Chester Vase, and Magician followed up with an equally impressive win, quickening well under Ryan Moore to beat Contributer by four lengths.
A crack at the Investec Derby looked on the cards, but connections took the decision to drop Magician back to a mile for the Group One Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh 15 days later. He excelled over the distance, readily powering clear of rivals for a three and a half-length victory over Gale Force Ten, with future Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby hero Trading Leather back in third.
With Ruler Of The World, Mars and Battle Of Marengo heading a five-strong Ballydoyle assault for the Investec Derby, Magician bypassed the Epsom Classic and instead remained over a mile for the Group One St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 18.
But an incident in the days building up to the meeting compromised his chances. Magician knocked a hind leg and was put in an equine spa for treatment. A sparrow flew into and spooked the horse, which resulted in him bruising both of his front legs. Following such an interrupted preparation, the colt could only trail home ninth at Royal Ascot as Dawn Approach and Toronado fought out the finish in one of the highlights of the five-day meeting.
O'Brien decided to give Magician a break afterwards and freshen him up for an autumn campaign, with the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita in early November looking a likely option due to the prevailing fast turf track at the Californian course. But, having excelled over 10 and a half furlongs and a mile, would Magician run in the Breeders' Cup Mile or the Breeder's Cup Turf over four furlongs further? Four-year-old Camelot had originally been pencilled in by O'Brien for the Turf but a setback ruled the three-time Classic winner out of the meeting, with Magician stepping into the breach.
Magician lined up against tough opposition in the race, most notably The Fugue. The John Gosden-trained filly had been an unlucky third in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf 12 months earlier but returned to Santa Anita on the back of an impressive win in the Group One Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. Little Mike and Point Of Entry, the first and second in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf also re-opposed on the back of Grade One victories at Belmont Park.
Ryan Moore partnered the Galileo colt for a second time, having ridden him at Chester, and immediately settled the colt in second last. Magician was still towards the rear as the field turned for home, but started to make stealthy headway when The Fugue surged into the lead passing the furlong-pole.
Moore galvanised his mount for one final thrust and Magician flew down the centre of the course, snatching the advantage near the line for a stunning half-length victory. Even the most wizened of US hacks acknowledged Moore's brilliance in the saddle, while O'Brien's achievement in bringing a horse back to his best following a long lay-off also drew deserved praise.
Magician is due to stay in training as a four-year-old and looks set to form part of a formidable contingent of older horses for Coolmore next season alongside Ruler Of The World and Kingsbarns, who are also by Galileo.
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly
CHRISELLIAM (IRE)
2 b f Iffraaj - Danielli (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Form: 919211
Owners: Willie Carson, Emily Asprey & Chris Wright
Trainer: Charlie Hills
Breeder: Ballylinch Stud
Chriselliam's emphatic Group One double on two continents sealed her the Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Filly award.
She was bred by Ballylinch Stud and purchased by bloodstock agent Alastair Donald for , 40,000 guineas at the 2012 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Iffraaj was sent to Lambourn handler Charlie Hills, where she was acquired by five-time British champion jockey Willie Carson, Emily Asprey, and rock, media and sport mogul Chris Wright, who enjoyed Classic success with Culture Vulture in the 1992 French 1,000 Guineas
Chriselliam failed to make an impression on her debut at Haydock in May, but broke the seven-furlong two-year-old track record at Warwick under Australian pilot James McDonald on July 11.
She met with defeat on her next two outings, trailing home ninth of 12 in a Group Three at Deauville, France, in August before being collared late in a mile Listed contest at Haydock Park on September 7.
Despite those two reverses, she was pitched into Group One company for the Shadwell Fillies = Mile at Newmarket on September 27, with Richard Hughes in the saddle for the first time. The champion jockey settled her towards the rear in the early the stages and produced Chriselliam with a strong run inside the final furlong to score decisively by a length from Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Rizeena.
After that 28/1 success, the Grade One Breeders= Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf at Santa Anita, California was named as her final target for the season. The mile prize was one of the most fiercely contested races of the two-day extravaganza, with Connolly=s Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes winner Vorda, vision.ae Rockfel Stakes scorer Al Thakhira and unbeaten US pair of My Conquestadory and Testa Rossi all in the opposition.
Hughes took the mount again and rode a perfect race from stall eight. Chriselliam settled in midfield and made smooth headway to track the leaders entering the straight, before quickening clear for an impressive success by two and a half lengths in race record time, providing a first Breeders = Cup triumph for Charlie Hills.
That display propelled Chriselliam to the top of the betting market for next year's Classic at Newmarket, the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas, and, if successful, Willie Carson would become the first man to ride, breed and own a British Classic winner. Carson annexed 17 British Classics during his illustrious riding career and bred 1988 St Leger hero Minster Son.
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit
JIM BOLGER
While there have been many great trainers, breeders and tutors in the history of horseracing, very few, if any, have combined all of those roles as successfully as Jim Bolger.
He was born in Oylegate, County Wexford, on Christmas Day, 1941, the son of farmer Walter Bolger and one of eight children. There were "always horses about the place" in his youth and the seeds were sown for the consummate horseman of his generation.
Although growing up around horses, racing did not play a central role during his formative years, as he once recalled: "My main passions then were hurling and Gaelic football. I was always interested in racing and can remember listening to Freebooter's Grand National when I was only eight (1950), but there was always so much work to do on the farm that I actually had little opportunity to go racing."
After an education at Enniscorthy Christian Brothers School and the College of Commerce, Rathmines, he started out as an accountant and began working for the largest Ford car dealership in Dublin. He also bought and sold on show jumpers. He sold the final one to a Milan dentist for 13,000 guineas in 1976 and later candidly remarked: "At the time you could have bought three semi-detached houses in Dublin. I bought three semi-detached horses instead."
The lure of returning to the outdoors proved too much for the farmer's son. Having enjoyed success as an owner and amateur rider, he took out a permit to train out in 1975 and a year later became a full-time trainer. He was initially based at Clonsilla and Phoenix Park in Dublin and saddled his first winner when Peaceful Pleasure scored at Roscommon on September 20, 1976. British success followed soon afterwards, with Beparoejojo winning over hurdles at Aintree on March 31, 1978.
With the closure of Phoenix Park as a training centre in 1979, Bolger made the move to Lohunda Park in Clonsilla, having been offered use of the facilities by former trainer Sir Hugh Nugent.
The winners began to escalate rapidly as the 1980s dawned and the stable quickly gained a reputation as being particularly adept with fillies. An early star was Condessa, who landed the Musidora Stakes and gave Bolger a first Group One success in the 1981 Yorkshire Oaks.
Always a man with an eye on the future, Bolger has made the point that fillies are cheaper to buy at sales but can often also have greater worth after their racing careers are over.
In 1982 Bolger purchased Glebe House at Coolcullen on the borders of Co Carlow and Co Kilkenny. Having long been looking for a training base to call his own, Bolger was taken by the 18th century former Church of Ireland property due to the undulating nature of the surrounding land which he believed could be transformed into highly varied gallops.
His property interests have grown over time and, as well as 300 acres in Co Kilkenny (for the training of fillies), he now has another yard, Beechy Park (colts), in Co Carlow and Redmondstown Stud (purchased in 1990) in Co Wexford where his 80 or so broodmares are based.
Following the move to Glebe House, the big-race winners flowed freely and major owners including Maktoum Al Maktom and Henryk de Kwiatkowski sent him horses. The major successes of the 1980s included Flame Of Tara (1983 Coronation Stakes), Park Appeal (1984 Moyglare Stud Stakes & Cheveley Park Stakes), Polonia (1987 Prix de l'Abbaye) and Park Express (1986 Irish Champion Stakes).
He also enjoyed significant success over jumps in the earlier part of his career and landed the Irish Champion Hurdle with Nordic Surprise in 1991 and again with Chirkpar a year later.
A first Classic success in Britain was provided by the Maktoum Al Maktoum-owned Jet Ski Lady, who revelled in the soft ground to land the 1991 Oaks at Epsom Downs, belying her 50/1 starting price.
Anyone who thought Bolger was merely a trainer of fillies was proved decisively wrong in 1992 when he sent out St Jovite to stunning victories in the Irish Derby and Ascot's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The same colt also finished second in the Derby at Epsom Downs.
The 1992 season also saw Bolger set a new Irish record of 139 winners, beating J J Parkinson's long-standing total which had stood since 1923.
Margarula carried the colours of his wife Jackie to success in the 2002 Irish Oaks, while the trainer enjoyed success across the globe with the remarkable Alexander Goldrun - a Group One winner in Ireland, Britain, France and Hong Kong when partnered by the Bolgers' son-in-law Kevin Manning.
Jim Bolger's foresight of developing a breeding operation through the purchase of fillies began to pay big dividends in the 21st century.
In 2006, the home-bred Teofilo won all his five starts including the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh and the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket to be crowned European champion juvenile. Injury prevented the Galileo colt from running as a three-year-old, although he has made an excellent start to his career as a stallion.
Glebe House was also responsible for the champion juvenile filly of 2006, Finsceal Beo, and the following year gained a brilliant Newmarket/Irish 1000 Guineas double.
Also in 2007, Bolger expertly handled New Approach (the last foal of Park Express) to an unbeaten campaign, which like Teofilo included Group One success in the National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. Then sold to Sheikh Mohammed, who gifted the colt to his wife Princess Haya, New Approach added three Group One victories to his CV in 2008 - the Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and British Champion Stakes. He is now among Europe's leading stallions.
Remarkably, Bolger won the Dewhurst Stakes for a third successive year in 2008 with Intense Focus and captured the Group One race again with Parish Hall in 2011 and New Approach's son Dawn Approach in 2012.
The 2013 season has been another vintage own. Further Classic success flowed when Dawn Approach, racing in the colours of Godolphin, captured the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and went on to Group One triumph at Royal Ascot in the St James's Palace Stakes.
Bolger also enjoyed the proudest moment of his training career when the home-bred Trading Leather captured the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby in the colours of his wife Jackie. His handling of equine talent alone makes him exceptional, with his horses gaining five Cartier Racing Awards, but when the nurturing of human talent is added into the equation then he can be described as one of the all-time greats.
Those who have worked for Bolger in the early part of their careers reads like a Who's Who of racing's great and good. The roll-call includes Ireland's champion Flat trainer Aidan O'Brien, Ireland's champion jump trainer Willie Mullins, other trainers such as David Wachman and Paul Nolan.
As to riders, they are led by the 18-time British champion jump jockey A P McCoy, who recently gained his 4,000 winner, and include current stable jockey Kevin Manning, Peter Scudamore, Paul Carberry, Seamus Heffernan, Willie Supple, Paddy Brennan and Ted Durcan.
Known for being firm in his opinions and not suffering fools, this self-made man is modest about his achievements.
He has always maintained that racing comes second to what is really important in his life - his family and his devout Catholic faith. He is vocal in support of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and is also a non-smoker.
He married Jackie on April 24, 1965, and the couple have two daughters - Una (married to Kevin Manning) and Fiona.
Winners by year at the Cartier Racing Awards
2013
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Kingston Hill
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Chriselliam
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Magician
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Treve
Cartier Sprinter: Lethal Force
Cartier Stayer: Estimate
Cartier Older Horse: Moonlight Cloud
Cartier Horse of the Year: Treve owned by His Excellency Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Jim Bolger
2012 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Dawn Approach
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Certify
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Camelot
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: The Fugue
Cartier Sprinter: Black Caviar
Cartier Stayer: Colour Vision
Cartier Older Horse: Frankel
Cartier Horse of the Year: Frankel, owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Team Frankel
2011 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Dabirsim
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Maybe
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Frankel
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Danedream
Cartier Sprinter: Dream Ahead
Cartier Stayer: Fame And Glory
Cartier Older Horse: Cirrus Des Aigles
Cartier Horse of the Year: Frankel, owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Barry Hills
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 Abdullah
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
Winners per category at the Cartier Racing Awards
CARTIER HORSE OF THE YEAR
2013 Treve
2012 Frankel
2011 Frankel
2010 Goldikova
2009 Sea the Stars
2008 Zarkava
2007 Dylan Thomas
2006 Ouija Board
2005 Hurricane Run
2004 Ouija Board
2003 Dalakhani
2002 Rock of Gibraltar
2001 Fantastic Light
2000 Giant's Causeway
1999 Daylami
1998 Dream Well
1997 Peintre Celebre
1996 Helissio
1995 Ridgewood Pearl
1994 Barathea
1993 Lochsong
1992 User Friendly
1991 Arazi
CARTIER OLDER HORSE
2013 Moonlight Cloud
2012 Frankel
2011 Cirrus Des Aigles
2010 Goldikova
2009 Goldikova
2008 Duke of Marmalade
2007 Dylan Thomas
2006 Ouija Board
2005 Azamour
2004 Soviet Song
2003 Falbrav
2002 Grandera
2001 Fantastic Light
2000 Kalanisi
1999 Daylami
1998 Swain
1997 Pilsudski
1996 Halling
1995 Further Flight
1994 Barathea
1993 Opera House
1992 Mr Brooks
1991 Terimon
CARTIER STAYER
2013 Estimate
2012 Colour Vision
2011 Fame And Glory
2010 Rite Of Passage
2009 Yeats
2008 Yeats
2007 Yeats
2006 Yeats
2005 Westerner
2004 Westerner
2003 Persian Punch
2002 Vinnie Roe
2001 Persian Punch
2000 Kayf Tara
1999 Kayf Tara
1998 Kayf Tara
1997 Celeric
1996 Nononito
1995 Double Trigger
1994 Moonax
1993 Vintage Crop
1992 Drum Taps
1991 Turgeon
CARTIER SPRINTER
2013 Lethal Force
2012 Black Caviar
2011 Dream Ahead
2010 Starspangledbanner
2009 Fleeting Spirit
2008 Marchand d'Or
2007 Red Clubs
2006 Reverence
2005 Avonbridge
2004 Somnus
2003 Oasis Dream
2002 Continent
2001 Mozart (IRE)
2000 Nuclear Debate
1999 Stravinsky
1998 Tamarisk
1997 Royal Applause
1996 Anabaa
1995 Hever Golf Rose
1994 Lochsong
1993 Lochsong
1992 Mr Brooks
1991 Sheikh Albadou
CARTIER THREE-YEAR-OLD-COLT
2013 Magician
2012 Caviar
2011 Frankel
2010 Workforce
2009 Sea the Stars
2008 New Approach
2007 Authorized
2006 George Washington
2005 Hurricane Run
2004 Bago
2003 Dalakhani
2002 Rock of Gibraltar
2001 Galileo
2000 Sinndar
1999 Montjeu
1998 Dream Well
1997 Peintre Celebre
1996 Helissio
1995 Lammtarra
1994 King's Theatre
1993 Commander in Chief
1992 Rodrigo de Triano
1991 Suave Dancer
CARTIER THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY
2013 Treve
2012 The Fugue
2011 Danedream
2010 Snow Fairy
2009 Sariska
2008 Zarkava
2007 Peeping Fawn
2006 Mandesha
2005 Divine Proportions
2004 Ouija Board
2003 Russian Rhythm
2002 Kazzia
2001 Banks Hill
2000 Petrushka
1999 Ramruma
1998 Cape Verdi
1997 Ryafan
1996 Bosra Sham
1995 Ridgewood Pearl
1994 Balanchine
1993 Intrepidity
1992 User Friendly
1991 Kooyonga
CARTIER TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT
2013 Kingston Hill
2012 Dawn Approach
2011 Dabirsim
2010 Frankel
2009 St Nicholas Abbey
2008 Mastercraftsman
2007 New Approach
2006 Teofilo
2005 George Washington
2004 Shamardal
2003 One Cool Cat
2002 Hold That Tiger
2001 Johannesburg
2000 Tobougg
1999 Fasliyev
1998 Aljabr
1997 Xaar
1996 Bahamian Bounty
1995 Alhaarth
1994 Celtic Swing
1993 First Trump
1992 Zafonic
1991 Arazi
CARTIER TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY
2013 Chriselliam
2012 Certify
2011 Maybe
2010 Misty For Me
2009 Special Duty
2008 Rainbow View
2007 Natagora
2006 Finsceal Beo
2005 Rumplestiltskin
2004 Divine Proportions
2003 Attraction
2002 Six Perfections
2001 Queen's Logic
2000 Superstar Leo
1999 Torgau
1998 Bint Allayl
1997 Embassy
1996 Pas De Reponse
1995 Blue Duster
1994 Gay Gallanta
1993 Lemon Souffle
1992 Lyric Fantasy
1991 Culture Vulture
CARTIER/DAILY TELEGRAPH AWARD OF MERIT
2013 Jim Bolger
2012 Team Frankel
2011 Barry Hills
2010 Richard Hannon
2009 John Oxx
2008 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
2007 The Niarchos family
2006 Peter Willett
2005 Henry Cecil
2004 David & Patricia Thompson
2003 Lord Oaksey
2002 Prince Khalid Abdullah bin Abdullah
2001 John Magnier
2000 HH the Aga Khan
1999 Peter Walwyn
1998 The Head family
1997 Sir Peter O'Sullevan
1996 Frankie Dettori
1995 John Dunlop
1994 Marquess of Hartington
1993 François Boutin
1992 Lester Piggott
1991 Henri Chalhoub
CARTIER MILLENNIUM AWARD OF MERIT
2000 HM The Queen
CARTIER SPECIAL AWARD
2002 Tony McCoy
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