Calandagan and JP McManus take the honours as the year's standout performers are celebrated at ROA Awards

Calandagan and JP McManus were the headline winners at the 43rd Racehorse Owners' Association (ROA) Horseracing Awards in London on Thursday evening, as the sport came together at the Royal Lancaster Hotel to celebrate the standout performers of the past year.

Calandagan, who capped a remarkable global campaign with victory in Sunday’s Japan Cup, was crowned ROA Horse of the Year. 

Owned by the Aga Khan Studs and trained by Francis Graffard, the four-time Group 1 winner also collected the Middle Distance award after a season in which he marked himself out as one of the elite performers in world racing.

His dominant display in the Champion Stakes on British Champions Day proved the defining moment of his European campaign before he became the first European horse to win the Japan Cup in 20 years.

Calandagan gets up on the line to deny favourite Masquerade Ball by a head in the Japan CupCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Earlier in the year he had taken the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where he beat Kalpana.

McManus, meanwhile, was voted ROA Owner of the Year for the second successive season, underlining his continued influence at the top of National Hunt racing. His famous silks enjoyed another haul of major prizes headed by Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin and Ryanair Chase winner Fact To File.

Jonbon added further Grade 1 success in the Melling Chase, while The New Lion - winner of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle - was recognised as the Outstanding Novice Hurdler.

The New Lion and Harry Skelton after winning the Turners Novices' HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

The awards also marked the introduction of two new syndicate categories, recognising the growing impact of shared ownership across the sport.

ROA chair, Jim Walker, said: "What stands out this year is the incredible breadth of ownership represented, from long-standing sole owners to syndicates and their members who are bringing new energy and people into our sport, together with their stories."

Basher Watts Racing, owners of French 1,000 Guineas runner-up She’s Perfect, and Barraston Racing & Mr J S Goldie, were the joint-winners of the small syndicate /racing club prize, while Middleham Park claimed the large syndicate/racing club award.

2025 ROA Horseracing Awards category winners:   

ROA Owner of Year: JP McManus
ROA Horse of the Year: Calandagan
Outstanding Novice Hurdler: The New Lion
The Hollow Bottom Outstanding Hurdler: Golden Ace
Wholesale Group Outstanding Novice Chaser: Caldwell Potter
Jockey Club Racecourses Outstanding Chaser: Galopin Des Champs
Owner Breeder Magazine Outstanding National Hunt Mare: Lossiemouth
Weatherbys Hamilton National Hunt Special Achievement Award: Mr Vango
Racing Welfare Outstanding All Weather Horse: Royal Zabeel
ROA VAT Solution Outstanding Juvenile: Gstaad
Tote Outstanding Sprinter: Asfoora
Large Independent Racecourses Outstanding Miler: Field Of Gold
Large Independent Racecourses Outstanding Middle-Distance Horse: Calandagan
Weatherbys Racing Bank Outstanding Filly/Mare: Minnie Hauk
Large Independent Racecourses Outstanding Stayer: Trawlerman
British EBF Flat Special Achievement Award: Ethical Diamond
ARC Syndicate/Racing Club – Small:  Basher Watts Racing and Barraston Racing & JS Goldie
ARC Syndicate/Racing Club - Large: Middleham Park Racing

Read these next: 

Calandagan crowned Horse of the Year at the 2025 Cartier Awards - plus major honour for Brough Scott 

Staying power to the fore as Brough and Calandagan lead the charge of the older brigade at the Cartiers 

'I felt an enormous weight on my shoulders' - relief for Francis Graffard as Calandagan defies the odds to win the Japan Cup 

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