Dabirsim has been named France’s 2011 Horse of the Year during the annual awards which were held at Auteuil on the weekend.

A son of former Victorian shuttler Hat Trick, he was unbeaten in five starts last year after emerging from relative obscurity in the south of France.

Dabirsim (3c Hat Trick – Rumored by Royal Academy) is trained by Christophe Ferland for German based owner Simon Springer and cost 30,000 euros out of the 2010 Arqana yearling sale.  He won twice at La Teste de Buch before travelling north to Normandy from his home base near Bordeaux.

He completed a hat-trick with a strong finish in the G3 Prix de Cabourg at Deauville before advancing to G1 triumphs in the Prix Morny and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Hat Trick (Sunday Silence) was a G1 winning miler in Japan and Hong Kong before retiring to Walmac Farm in Kentucky.  He shuttled to Independent Stallions in 2008 but there were just 26 foals from that sole southern crop.

Now autumn two year-olds, the Australian Hat Tricks are taking time.  They include the well-named youngsters Siddle’s Birthday, Mrs Hadlee, Queen Of Spin, Wicket Keeper and Three For None.

Other French award winners included Champion 3YO Filly Golden Lilac (Galileo) who won the G1 French 1000 Guineas Oaks double.

Dalakhani colt Reliable Man scooped the Champion 3YO Colt prize after claiming the French Derby and Cirrus des Aigles (Even Top) was named Champion Older Horse after a G1 victory in the English Champion Stakes.