Ouija Board honoured at racing's Oscars

Dual Classic and Breeders’ Cup heroine Ouija Board capped a magnificent season when she was named Horse Of The Year at the prestigious Cartier Awards last night.

Connections of the Lord Derby-owned filly, trained in Newmarket by Ed Dunlop, received the award at a glittering ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in London’s West End.

The daughter of Cape Cross landed the Vodafone Oaks in terrific style at Epsom in June and followed up in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.

A fine third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe followed before she rounded off her campaign with victory in the Filly & Mare Turf under Kieren Fallon at Lone Star Park in Texas.

Ouija Board, who remains in training next year, beat off competition from Soviet Song, Bago, Attraction and Divine Proportions for the Horse Of The Year title.

She also landed the Three-Year-Old Filly award.

Soviet Song and Bago gained compensation for missing out on the main prize when they were awarded the titles of top Older Horse and Three-Year-Old Colt respectively.

Elie Lellouche’s Westerner fought off stiff competition from Papineau to land the stayer award, while Somnus took the honours in the sprinting division.

The unbeaten Shamardal led the way among the juvenile colts, with Divine Proportions coming out best in the juvenile fillies.

The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit went to David and Patricia Thompson, owners of Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket, who, in the opinion of the 21-strong Cartier jury, have done most for European racing and/or breeding over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.

Managed by Chris Richardson the stud has enjoyed a fantastic recent run, with high-profile victories for the likes of the brilliant Russian Rhythm, Medicean, Soar, Red Bloom and Iceman.