Top four in older-horse standings ready to go into battle at Breeders' Cup

Several horses in the running for this year’s Cartier Racing Awards are set to line up in the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar this weekend, notably the top four in the older-horse category.

Three of them – Ulysses, Decorated Knight and Highland Reel – are set to take each other on in the Turf, while the category leader, Ribchester, will bid to end his career on a high in the Mile.

Enable leads from Ribchester in the Horse of the Year standings, with Ulysses fourth.

Saxon Warrior moved to a share of second spot in the juvenile colts’ section following his victory in the Racing Post Trophy last Saturday. Leader of the category is his Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate US Navy Flag, another set to be in action at the Breeders’ Cup.

The awards, which recognise the season’s best performers in Europe, are decided by a combined format of points earned by horses in Pattern races, which make up 30 per cent, the opinions of a panel of racing journalists and handicappers (35 per cent), and votes cast by readers of the Racing Post and Daily Telegraph plus ITV Racing viewers (35 per cent).

The public can place their vote – which includes the chance to win a Cartier watch – online at cartierracingawards.co.uk until noon next Tuesday.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony before an invited audience of 300 at the Dorchester Hotel, London, on November 14.

Cartier Horse Of The Year

Enable 208
Ribchester 166
Winter 164
Ulysses 152
Decorated Knight 128
Roly Poly 128
Barney Roy 116
Churchill 116
Cracksman 108
Hydrangea 104

Cartier Older Horse

Ribchester 166
Ulysses 152
Decorated Knight 128
Highland Reel 92
Cloth Of Stars 88
Bateel 76
Persuasive 72
Aclaim 64
Poet's Word 60
Zarak 54

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt

US Navy Flag 80
Beckford 48
Saxon Warrior 48
Sioux Nation 48
Unfortunately 48
Verbal Dexterity 40
Cardsharp 36
Nebo 36
Havana Grey 32
Roaring Lion 32

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