Baaeed crowned Cartier Horse of the Year and top older horse for 2022

Baaeed was the toast of the 32nd Cartier Racing Awards when crowned Horse of the Year and Older Horse of the Year at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Wednesday evening.

The retired son of Sea The Stars is the first horse owned by Shadwell to receive the prestigious Horse of the Year award following an outstanding season that resulted in four Group 1 wins.

Baaeed, who was trained by William Haggas, saw off tough opposition to claim the main accolade, with Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista, Gold Cup hero Kyprios and prolific sprinter Highfield Princess also nominated.

Baaeed also edged out Alpinista to bag the older horse title, in which his Champion Stakes conqueror Bay Bridge and the versatile Kinross also received nominations.

The Three-Year-Old Colt award went the way of Vadeni, who carried the Aga Khan’s colours to success in the Prix du Jockey Club and Coral-Eclipse before finishing second in the Arc. The other nominees were Derby winner Desert Crown and the Godolphin pair Coroebus and Modern Games.

Inspiral achieved a rare feat by following up her award last year with success in the three-year-old filly category. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Inspiral won two Group 1s this year and got the nod ahead of stablemates Nashwa and Emily Upjohn, as well as Breeders’ Cup winner Tuesday.

Highfield Princess was named Sprinter of the Year following a trio of Group 1 wins including the Nunthorpe Stakes. She prevailed over Kinross, Minzaal and Australian sprinter Nature Strip.

Highfield Princess claims victory in the Nunthorpe at YorkCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

It was no surprise Kyprios was crowned Stayer of the Year following an unbeaten run of four Group 1 victories. The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old dominated a category that also featured Stradivarius, Trueshan and St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov.

The Coolmore team of Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg, owners of Kyprios, also took the Two-Year-Old Colt award with Blackbeard, who won twice at Group 1 level before being retired. His stablemates Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear were also nominated, alongside Dewhurst victor Chaldean.

The final equine award, the Two-Year-Old Filly prize, was won by Lezoo, who was last seen winning the Cheveley Park Stakes. She saw off Commissioning, Tahiyra and The Platinum Queen.

The recipient of the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit for 2022 was Alpinista’s owner-breeder Kirsten Rausing.

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.”

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