THERE could be no disputing that most of the recipients of the Cartier Awards at this week’s ceremony were deserving winners. Kingman, Taghrooda, Sole Power, Gleneagles, Tiggy Wiggy, all deserved to head their categories.

But as with the notion that Champions Day by its name should play host to champions, the criteria to win the award could be subject to debate. Who deserves the top awards, one brilliant performance or a body of work throughout the year? Cartier went for Noble Mission as the Middle Distance Horse of the Year.

He did amass an impressive enough tally of wins and travelled to Ireland, France and Germany. However, he was beaten by Spiritjim and Lucky Lion on two of those occasions. His British Group 1 win came when most of the summer stars had retired. Was he better in his category than The Fugue, Cirrus Des Aigles and more importantly than Treve? He is also officially rated below Flintshire and Magician. But then, as it produced an end of season award winner, perhaps we can say that Champions Day did produce a champion after all.