Andy Newton

Item and Kalpana surge into Cartier Horse of the Year picture after big York wins

by
Andy Newton
27 August 2026

Juddmonte homebreds Item and Kalpana have firmly thrown their hats into the ring for Cartier Racing Awards 2026 after a pair of sensational victories at the 2026 Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York.

Item took his career record to five wins from six starts with a thrilling, down-to-the-wire success in the Juddmonte International.

The victory lifted him to 80 points in Pattern races this season and propelled him straight into contention for both Cartier Horse of the Year and Three-Year-Old Colt honours.

Trained by Andrew Balding, the son of two-time Horse of the Year Frankel saw off a star-studded field that included Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Almaqam (56 pts), Coral-Eclipse winner Constitution River (92 pts) and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes hero Ombudsman (80 pts).

WATCH: Item Winning The Juddmonte Stakes in 2026

Balding and Juddmonte were back in the winner’s enclosure with Kalpana (96 pts), who followed up her King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes triumph with another gritty performance in the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks.

The daughter of Study Of Man now leads the Cartier Older Horse division, narrowly ahead of stablemate Blue Bolt (80 pts), Calandagan (80 pts) and Ombudsman.

WATCH: Kalpana Winning The Yorkshire Oaks in 2026

Bacio Enters Cartier Sprinting Picture With Facile Nunthorpe Win

The sprinting picture also became more interesting at York, where Wesley Ward’s Bacio (32 pts) put himself firmly into the frame for Cartier Sprinter honours with a dominant wire-to-wire victory in the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes.

Meanwhile, fellow three-year-old Samangan (32 pts) made his own case in France, digging deep to edge out Division (34 pts) in the ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville earlier this month.

In the marathon division, eight-year-old Al Nayyir (33 pts) finally got his moment in the spotlight.

After finishing second and third in previous attempts, the Tom Clover-trained gelding secured a well-deserved victory in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup.

He now sits fourth in the Cartier Stayer standings behind Scandinavia (88 pts), who continues to hold a commanding advantage after victories in the Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup.

Retired Bow Echo Still Tops Horse of the Year and Three-Year-Old Colt Lists

At the head of the overall leaderboard, Bow Echo (128 pts) remains the horse to beat for both Horse of the Year and Three-Year-Old Colt honours, although his shock retirement has left the door open for the chasing pack.

Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Rayif (80 pts) made a significant move in both categories after adding a second Group 1 success in Deauville’s prestigious Prix Jacques Le Marois.

In the Three-Year-Old Filly division, leader Diamond Necklace (112 pts) moved closer to the overall title despite suffering the first defeat of her career, finishing second to older rival Aventure (56 pts) in the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet.

The juvenile divisions have so far been dominated by the fillies. Senorita Bonita (56 pts) scorched the turf in Deauville’s Sumbe Prix Morny, while Sun Goddess (52 pts) landed the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

And more recently landed York’s Harry’s Half Million easily at York (watch below).

The pair lead the Two-Year-Old Filly standings, ahead of Sky Bet Lowther Stakes winner Libertango (32 pts).

In the Two-Year-Old Colt division, Coventry Stakes one-two finishers Great Barrier Reef (24 pts) and Adaay Of Scarlett (24 pts) share the early lead with Goffs Prix Robert Papin winner Tokaido (24 pts).

About the Cartier Racing Awards 2026

Cartier Horse Racing Awards 2026

First established in 1991 to honour the very best in European horseracing, the 36th Cartier Racing Awards will be held at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Wednesday evening, November 18.

There are eight equine categories: Horse of the Year, Older Horse, Sprinter, Stayer, Three-Year-Old Colt, Three-Year-Old Filly, Two-Year-Old Colt and Two-Year-Old Filly.

The winners are determined through a balanced scoring system. Pattern race points account for 30% of the final result, while votes from a panel of racing journalists and handicappers contribute 35%, with the general public providing the remaining 35% at the end of the season.

The Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit is also presented, with a 15-person jury selecting an individual or team that has made an outstanding lifetime or single-year contribution to European racing and breeding.

A complete archive of previous award winners can be accessed [here].

When Are The Cartier Racing Awards 2026?

The 2026 Cartier Racing Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, with the prestigious ceremony being staged at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

The event will mark the 36th Cartier Racing Awards, which recognise the outstanding horses and achievements from the European racing season.

About Cartier

A hallmark of global luxury, Cartier is defined by a spirit of curiosity, open-mindedness and exceptional craftsmanship.

The Maison creates across high jewellery, fine watchmaking, fragrances, leather goods and accessories.

Today, Cartier operates as part of Richemont, reaching enthusiasts around the world through its global boutique network, authorised partners and online channels.

Cartier Racing Awards 2026 Leaderboard

Cartier Horse of the Year Standings

Bow Echo -128
Diamond Necklace – 112
Precise – 108
True Love – 96
Kalpana – 96
Gstaad – 96
Constitution River – 92
Scandinavia – 88
Rayif – 80
Ombudsman – 80
Item – 80
Christmas Day – 80
Calandagan – 80
Blue Bolt – 80