Sea The Stars was named Horse of the Year at the 2009 Cartier Racing Awards held at Claridge’s Hotel in London on Tuesday night.  The Cape Cross colt bowed out of racing with an Arc de Triomphe victory that stamped him as one of the all-time great champions.

Sea The Stars prevailed from Goldikova, Conduit, Mastercraftsman and Ghanaati.  Between them, the five nominees garnered 16 Group 1 races in 2009.

Sea The Stars also took the honours in the Cartier 3YO Colt category from Rip Van Winkle, Mastercraftsman, Fame And Glory and Prix du Jockey Club hero Le Havre.

Goldikova topped a very strong division to clinch the Cartier Older Horse award.  With four Group I wins on the board this year, including his scintillating second Breeders’ Cup Mile triumph, the Freddie Head-trained filly beat Conduit, Dar Re Mi and Vision d’Etat.

The 2YO Colt category was particularly competitive but it was the unbeaten G1 Racing Post Trophy winner St Nicholas Abbey who took the award.  The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt defeated Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Siyouni, Dewhurst Stakes hero Awzaan, Prix Morny winner Arcano as well as Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf victor Pounced.

Special Duty was crowned Champion 2YO Filly after her success in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in October.  The Criquette Head-Maarek-trained youngster won two from four starts and defeated the colts when winning the G2 Prix Robert Papin.  Also nominated were Termagant, Rosanara, Hibaayeb and Lady Of The Desert.

Sariska took the 3YO Filly award after winning the English and Irish Oaks.  In a close-run contest, the Michael Bell-trained Pivotal filly edged out Ghanaati, Midday, Stacelita and Elusive Wave.

Yeats ensured his place among the greats with a record fourth victory in the Gold Cup at Ascot.  The Sadler’s Wells stallion was named the Cartier Champion Stayer for 2009 for a record-breaking fourth time.

Fleeting Spirit’s victory in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket was the catalyst for her award as the Cartier Champion Sprinter.