SEVERAL horses improved their claims for 2016 Cartier Racing Awards honours after the Group 1 races over the last two weekend at Sandown’s Coral-Eclipse and the July Festival at Newmarket.

Dual classic winner Minding (144) is the current leader for Cartier Horse Of The Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Awards.

The Group 1 Coral-Eclipse, gave the younger generation centre stage in the 10-furlong contest as Godolphin’s Hawkbill (56) beat Coolmore’s The Gurkha (80) in a pulsating battle up the Sandown hill, with both horses emerging as Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt contenders.

The Gurkha currently lies fourth in the standings for Cartier Horse Of The Year, having previously captured the French 2000 Guineas in devastating fashion and been second to QIPCO 2000 Guineas hero Galileo Gold (112) in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Galileo Gold and The Gurkha are set re-oppose in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival on July 27th with Minding likely to run in the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes at the same meeting.

Limato (32) stormed clear of his rivals for a commanding victory over Suedois (24) in the Darley July Cup over six furlongs, to register a breakthrough Group 1 success.

Quiet Reflection (64) was third in the Darley July Cup and the Karl Burke-trained filly continues to lead the standings for Cartier Sprinter and Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly categories, with three pattern races this year including the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Alice Springs (54), trained by Aidan O’Brien for a Coolmore partnership, also enhanced her position in the race for Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly honours, with a taking display in the mile Group 1 Tattersalls 250th Year Falmouth Stakes.

Order Of St George (48), successful in the Group 1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, continues to top the Carter Stayer division, with the runner-up from that contest, Mizzou (32), lying in second place.

Cartier Horse Of The Year