Going for gold: Hermosa heads Cartier horse of the year standings

Dual Guineas winner Hermosa leads the early standings for the Cartier horse of the year award, but stablemate Magical and Persian King remain in hot pursuit.

The daughter of Galileo has earned 80 points for her wins in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh, while Magical trails with a tally of 56 points following her Group 1 success in the Tatterstalls Gold Cup.

Persian King, who won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains before finishing second in the Prix du Jockey Club, shares second spot with Magical.

Other challengers at this early stage of the season include Anthony Van Dyck (48), Anapurna (48), Magna Grecia (48) and Blue Point (42).

Hermosa's Guineas dominance has also seen her take the lead in the three-year-old filly division, with Oaks winner Anapurna her nearest rival.

Anthony Van Dyck's Derby success lifted him to second place in the three-year-old colt division behind Persian King, while Blue Point could further his lead in the sprint division in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Prix Vicomtesse Vigier winner Called To The Bar holds just a two point advantage in the race for the stayers' prize from Dee Ex Bee.

The Cartier awards celebrate the season's best Flat horses, with the prize decided by a combination of points scored for performances in Pattern races and the verdict of the Cartier jury.

The horse of the year award, won last year by Roaring Lion, is the top prize of six on Cartier Awards night, to be held in London on November 12.

Cartier Horse of the Year standings

Hermosa 80
Magical 56
Persian King 56
Anapurna 48
Anthony Van Dyck 48
Magna Grecia 48
Blue Point 42
Dream Castle 42
Castle Lady 40
Defoe 40
Zabeel Prince 40

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