Khalid Abdullah and his star filly Enable dominate at ROA end-of-year awards

A magnificent year for Enable and her owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah continued when they were honoured at the 37th annual Racehorse Owners Association awards in London last night.

The glitzy occasion, which was sponsored by Zeus Capital, took place at the InterContinental Hotel in Mayfair, and recognised those voted by the 8,000-strong membership of the ROA, which has been promoting the interests of owners in Britain since 1945 and is a shareholder of the BHA.

Abdullah, whose silks have been carried by some of the sport’s most famous horses, was crowned Owner of the Year, while his brilliant Enable, who won the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for the second time and followed up with a history-making Breeders’ Cup Turf victory, was Horse of the Year. She also netted the Middle Distance and Filly/Mare awards.

Her John Gosden-trained stablemates Roaring Lion (Miler), Stradivarius (Stayer) and Too Darn Hot (Juvenile) were others acknowledged.

Archie Watson’s prolific Captain Lars claimed the title of Outstanding All-Weather Horse, while Mabs Cross was leading sprinter.

There were Flat and jumps special achievement prizes for the popular Roy Rocket, who won three times at his beloved Brighton in 2018, and the now-retired Cue Card, a titan of the modern jumps era.

Nicky Henderson’s stars Altior and Buveur D’Air were named Outstanding Chaser and Hurdler, while the respective novice categories went to Footpad and Kalashnikov.

Apple’s Jade landed the National Hunt Mare of the Year title and twin tracks Chester and Bangor had the distinction of being acclaimed as best large and small racecourses of the year.

ROA roll of honour

Horse of the Year Enable

ROA Owner of the Year Khalid Abdullah

Outstanding Novice Hurdler Kalashnikov

Outstanding Hurdler Buveur D’Air

Outstanding Novice Chaser Footpad

Outstanding Chaser Altior

Outstanding National Hunt Mare Apple's Jade

Outstanding All-Weather Horse Captain Lars

Outstanding Juvenile Too Darn Hot

Outstanding Filly/Mare Enable

Outstanding Sprinter Mabs Cross

Outstanding Middle Distance Enable

Outstanding Stayer Stradivarius

Outstanding Miler Roaring Lion

National Special Achievement Award Cue Card

Flat Special Achievement Award Roy Rocket

ROA Gold Standard Large Racecourse of the Year Chester

ROA Gold Standard Small Racecourse of the Year Bangor

ROA Gold Standard Most Improved Large Racecourse Newbury

ROA Gold Standard Most Improved Small Racecourse Wetherby

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