O'Brien superstars dominate shortlist for top European honours

Arc heroine Found, her Breeders' Cup Turf conqueror Highland Reel and Guineas, Oaks, Pretty Polly, Nassau and QEII-winning superfilly Minding, all trained by Aidan O'Brien, will fight it out on Tuesday evening with Champion Stakes star Almanzor and Juddmonte International victor Postponed for the title of Cartier Horse of the Year.

Found, Highland Reel and Postponed are joined by Limato in the older horse category, while Almanzor and Minding head the three-year-old colt and filly divisions respectively. Limato also appears in the champion sprinter category, along with Mecca's Angel, Quiet Reflection and The Tin Man, while Order Of St George, Quest For More, Sheikhzayedroad and Vazirabad complete the list of four for the stayers' accolade.

O'Brien also holds a strong hand in the two-year-old contests, with Caravaggio and Churchill joined by Mehmas and The Last Lion for top juvenile colt honours, while in the filly division his Brave Anna, Rhododendron and Roly Poly are joined by Lady Aurelia.

The winners are determined through a combination of points earned in Pattern races (30%), the end-of-season opinions of a panel of racing journalists (35%) and votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph, plus Channel 4 Racing viewers (35%).

In addition to the eight equine categories the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit is awarded to the person, or persons, who the 16-strong jury decides has done the most for European racing or breeding, either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.

The 26th edition of the glitzy event takes place in front of 300 guests at the Dorchester Hotel, and Harry Herbert, Cartier's racing consultant, said: "The nominations reflect the wonderful horses who have raced in Europe and beyond this year."

Cartier Horse Of The Year
Almanzor
Found
Highland Reel
Minding
Postponed

Cartier Older Horse
Found
Highland Reel
Limato
Postponed

Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt
Almanzor
Galileo Gold
Harzand
The Gurkha

Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly
Alice Springs
La Cressonniere
Minding
Quiet Reflection

Cartier Sprinter
Limato
Mecca's Angel
Quiet Reflection
The Tin Man

Cartier Stayer
Order Of St George
Quest For More
Sheikhzayedroad
Vazirabad

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt
Caravaggio
Churchill
Mehmas
The Last Lion

Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly
Brave Anna
Lady Aurelia
Rhododendron
Roly Poly