Dalakhani crowned Horse of the Year

Dalakhani was crowned Horse Of The Year at the 2003 Cartier Racing Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel in London tonight.

The Aga Khan’s brilliant Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and French Derby winner, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, also claimed the Three-Year-Old Colt Award.

Alamshar, also owned by the Aga Khan and the only horse to defeat Dalakhani, was second.

Falbrav, runner-up for the Horse Of The Year Award, took the Older Horse prize.

The five-year-old, trained by Luca Cumani, had a fabulous season that included Group One wins in the Juddmonte International, Coral-Eclipse, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Prix d’Ispahan.

Cheveley Park Stud’s Russian Rhythm, who rattled up a Group One three-timer in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes and Vodafone Nassau Stakes, beat Six Perfections to the Three-Year-Old Filly Award.

The remarkable 10-year-old Persian Punch, the most popular Flat horse in training, lifted the Stayer Award.

The David Elsworth-trained gelding took his career earnings past the £1m (€1.4m) mark this year with wins in the Goodwood Cup, Doncaster Cup, Jockey Club Cup and a Sandown Listed event.

The Sprinter Award went to the John Gosden-trained Oasis Dream thanks to wins in two Group Ones – the Darley July Cup and the Nunthorpe Stakes.

Another dual Group One scorer, Aidan O’Brien’s One Cool Cat, was the Two-Year-Old Colt Award winner while the unbeaten Attraction, trained by Mark Johnston, collected the Two-Year-Old Filly prize.

Lord Oaksey was the recipient of the Daily Telegraph Order of Merit. He has spent almost 50 years in racing being a former champion amateur rider over jumps, leading journalist and Channel 4 presenter.