The unbeaten horseracing superstar Frankel and his owner Khalid Abdulla were honoured for their glittering achievements at the Racehorse Owners Association’s 31st Horseracing Awards, sponsored by Bordeaux Fine Wines Ltd, in London.
The multiple Group 1 winner, who climaxed his career with victory in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot two months ago before being retired to stud, was named ‘Horse of the Year’ for the second year in a poll of ROA members.
Frankel’s owner was named ‘Owner of the Year’ for the third year in a row, while his colt also took the awards for ‘Miler’ and ‘Middle Distance’ horse of the year.
The recently retired Kauto Star (owner Clive Smith), the winner last season of both the Betfair Chase and the King George VI Chase, was voted ‘Chaser’ of the year, while four times World Hurdle hero Big Buck’s (Stewart family) was ‘Hurdler’ of the year.
‘Sprinter’ of the year was the Australian Diamond Jubilee Stakes winner Black Caviar (G J Wilkie, Mrs K J Wilkie et al), while the ‘Juvenile’ of the year award went to Royal Ascot and Dewhurst Stakes hero Dawn Approach (Godolphin).
The ‘Filly & Mare’ of the year title was given to Irish Champion Stakes winner Snow Fairy (Anamoine Ltd) and Ascot Gold Cup winner Rite Of Passage (Dr R Lambe) was chosen as ‘Stayer’ of the year.
Among the novice ranks in jump racing, Arkle Trophy winner Sprinter Sacre (Mrs Caroline Mould) was voted ‘Novice Chaser’ of the year and Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals winner Simonsig (R A Bartlett) took the ‘Novice Hurdler’ of the year category.
The ‘Special Achievement’ award was given to steeplechaser Hunt Ball (Anthony Knott).
Full awards list:
Juvenile: Dawn Approach
Sprinter: Black Caviar
Miler: Frankel
Filly & Mare: Snow Fairy
Middle Distance: Frankel
Stayer: Rite Of Passage
Novice Hurdler: Simonsig
Hurdler: Big Buck’s
Novice Chaser: Sprinter Sacre
Chaser: Kauto Star
Special Achievement: Hunt Ball
Owner of the Year: Khalid Abdulla
Horse of the Year: Frankel
