Brits choose their champions for each of several distance divisions. Then there is the Cartier trophy, which usually goes to the horse who was most dominant in its division - they have bred for distance specialists for many decades now. Up until 10 years ago, we held out for the all-rounders- the Foregos, Ack Acks, and Cigars, horses who could sprint with the sprinters and stay with the stayers.
But then they chose Ouija Board last year, when her form was demonstrably inferior to that of Pride among the older mares. So the Cartier Horse of the Year trophy seems more a popularity contest than a measure of racing merit.
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