Fancy Blue jumps to top of Cartier standings following Nassau success

Fancy Blue has moved to the top of the Cartier Horse of the Year standings following her second Group 1 success of the season in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Donnacha O'Brien's three-year-old has earned 80 points this season, with her Goodwood victory following on from last month's narrow win in the Prix de Diane. She finished second in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the start of the season.

She leads by eight points ahead of outstanding stayer Stradivarius, who raised his tally to 72 points with a commanding victory in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup last week. He shares second spot with French-trained Way To Paris, winner of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and Grand Prix de Chantilly this season.

Other contenders for the prestigious prize include Ghaiyyath (70) and Barney Roy (68), while Addeybb, Love and Magical are all on 64 points.

No horse has ever captured the Horse of the Year prize three times, but Enable made her first claim for history with success in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes.

Fancy Blue is also now top of the three-year-old filly leaderboard, with the exceptional Oaks winner Love as her nearest challenger.

Elsewhere at Goodwood, Battaash extended his advantage in the race to be named sprinter of the year. Charlie Hills's six-year-old set a course record with his impressive fourth consecutive success in the King George Qatar Stakes on Friday.

Pinatubo and Irish Derby winner Santiago currently share top spot in the three-year-old rankings.

Stradivarius’s win established his dominance in the race to be named top stayer. He leads ahead of Nayef Road, who has finished second behind John Gosden’s star in the Gold Cup at Ascot and again at Goodwood last week.

The Cartier Horse of the Year award is based on points achieved throughout the season, opinions from a panel of racing journalists and handicappers and a vote from Racing Post readers and ITV viewers.

There will be no official ceremony this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, but awards will be given out in November.

Cartier Horse of the Year standings

Fancy Blue 80

Stradivarius 72

Way To Paris 72

Ghaiyyath 70

Barney Roy 68

Addeybb 64

Love 64

Magical 64

Nazeef 56

Pinatubo 56

Santiago 56

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