Minding, Lady Aurelia honored at Cartier Awards
The 3-year-old filly Minding has been named the Cartier Horse of the Year for 2016, and Lady Aurelia became the first American-trained Cartier winner when she was named 2-year-old filly of the year at a ceremony Tuesday night in England.
Minding, a Galileo filly trained by Aidan O’Brien for Coolmore, won five Group 1's during 2016 at distances from one mile to 1 1/2 miles. She ended her campaign with a win over older male rivals in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on QIPCO Champions Day. Minding also was named the Cartier 3-year-old filly of the year. Last year, she was named Cartier 2-year-old of the year.
Minding’s two awards were among a record five handed out to O’Brien and Coolmore. Also feted were Found, who won the older horse award; Order of St George, who was named leading stayer; and Churchill, 2-year-old colt of the year.
Almanzor, who beat Found in the Irish Champion Stakes and in the Champion Stakes last month at Ascot, won the Cartier 3-year-old award, while Quiet Reflection became the first filly to be named Cartier’s sprinter of the year.
Finally, Lady Aurelia, who won the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot in scintillating fashion and added the Prix Morny to her resume later in the summer, was named Cartier 2-year-old filly of the year. By Scat Daddy, Lady Aurelia was bred by Stonestreet Stables, which co-owns her with George Bolton and Peter Leidel, and is trained by Wesley Ward.