Racing week: Horse of the Year named

Hurricane Run became 2005 Horse of the Year at the glittering Cartier Racing Awards, held in London last night. The Andre Fabre-trained colt, who landed both the Irish Derby and the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe this year, was also named Cartier Three-year-old Colt.

The son of Montjeu was one of three Coolmore-owned horses to win awards. George Washington and Rumplestiltskin also won their respective two-year-old categories. The Aga Kahn’s Azamour (pictured), winner of the Prince of Wale’s Stakes and King George, took the Cartier Older Horse Award.

Ten-times champion Flat trainer Henry Cecil was given The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit for the person who, in the opinion of a 20-strong Cartier jury, who has done most for European racing over their lifetime.

Teen jockey dies in US

Apprentice jockey Josh Radosevich, 16, was killed in a tragic fall Beulah Park, Ohio on Wednesday. The Ohio Horse Racing Commission is automatically reviewing the race in which Radosevich’s mount Nyoka shattered a foreleg and rolled over him.

Radosevich, who was leading the field of 10 when the accident took place was just six weeks into his career and had recorded fourteen wins. Three jockeys have been killed in accidents at Beulah Park in the track’s 78-year history.

The American racing world is also mourning the passing of Louisville-born jockey James Herrell, who died at his home last weekend. The cause of death is unknown but his fiancée suspects it could be related to the 5ft 7in jockey’s efforts to lose weight.

Kicking King ready for action

Kicking King will show his rivals just how much he has benefited for his seasonal reappearance at Haydock on Saturday, according to trainer Tom Taaffe. The Gold Cup winner will face a maximum of 10 rivals in the £150,000 Betfair Chase. Taaffe reports that King’s final piece of work was very good and since he is adaptable, running at Haydock for the first time will not prove problematic.

Forest Gunner favourite

Forest Gunner is favourite with the sponsors for the £100,000 Tote-sport Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday. The 11-year old finished fifth behind Hedgehunter in the National in April for trainer Richard Ford, partnered by his wife Carrie. Nina Carberry has taken on the ride and will negotiate Aintree’s fences tomorrow.

Jockey turned gardener

Neil Varley has transformed himself from a successful flat jockey to a talented gardener with the help of the Jockey’s Employment and Training Scheme (JETS). Yesterday he was named the overall winner of the Richard Davis Awards, recognising former racing employees who have retrained with the help of JETS.

Varley, 33, received a £2,000 first prize, while jockey-turned-equine dentish Frazer Houston was handed £750. A special recognition award of £500 was presented to John Bryan, who underwent major heart surgery three years ago and is now a landscape gardener.

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