Eagles not out of awards reckoning despite retirement

Capri's Irish Derby success did not lead to much of a shake-up in the Cartier Awards standings in the three-year-old colt category, with Churchill and Coral-Eclipse possible Barney Roy still sharing the lead on 80 points.

But while Epsom hero Wings Of Eagles could finish only third and sustained a career-ending injury, the Investec Derby winner – who has 60 points – is not out of the running for the award because of the unique process by which the winners are decided.

Wings Of Eagles will not be able to increase his tally through pattern-race success, which counts for 30 per cent of the total, but those points are combined at the end of season with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists and handicappers (35 per cent) plus votes from readers of Racing Post, The Daily Telegraph and ITV Racing viewers (35 per cent).

There are plenty of points up for grabs over the next four weeks with the July and Goodwood Cups affecting the sprint and stayer categories while the Sussex Stakes gives Ribchester the chance to consolidate his lead in the older horse category and put pressure on overall horse of the year leader Winter, who is 30 points clear with 116.

The 2017 Cartier Racing Awards will be presented at a glittering ceremony before an invited audience of 300 at The Dorchester Hotel in London on Tuesday, November 14.

CARTIER STANDINGS

HORSE OF THE YEAR
Winter 116
Ribchester 86
Barney Roy 80
Churchill 80
Decorated Knight 80
Highland Reel 80
Brametot 72
Wings Of Eagles 60
Big Orange 56
Cloth Of Stars 56

OLDER HORSE
Ribchester 86
Decorated Knight 80
Highland Reel 80
Cloth Of Stars 56
Zarak 54

THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT
Churchill 80
Barney Roy 80
Brametot 72
Wings Of Eagles 60
Thunder Snow 46

THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY
Winter 116
Rhododendron 48
Enable 48
Senga 44
Precieuse 36

SPRINTER
Caravaggio 40
Harry Angel 36
Tasleet 32
Lady Aurelia 32
The Tin Man 32

STAYER
Big Orange 56
Vazirabad 31
Order Of St George 28
Polarisation 24
Dartmouth 16
Stradivarius 16
Rekindling 16