Motivator named Horse of the Year

Vodafone Derby hero Motivator landed the top honour at the third British Horseracing Board Flat racing awards in London today.

As well as being named Horse of the Year, the now-retired son of Montjeu also scooped the title of champion three-year-old colt.

In front of a specially-invited audience of over 210 people, including Minister for Sport Richard Caborn, BHB chairman Martin Broughton presented trophies to the winners of the 15 award categories.

Azamour was confirmed as the top-ranked European horse of 2005 and picked up the champion middle distance and champion older male horse awards.

For the second consecutive year, Soviet Song was champion older female, with Flashy Wings collecting the champion two-year-old filly title.

Other winners included Sir Percy in the two-year-old colt category, Shamardal as champion miler, and Pastoral Pursuits as champion sprinter.

Each award went to the highest-rated horse in the respective rankings category, provided the horse was either trained in Britain or, if trained abroad, achieved the category-topping rating on a British racecourse.

The awards for champion owner, trainer, jockey and apprentice jockey – won by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Sir Michael Stoute, Kieren Fallon and Philip Makin respectively – were based on prize money earned in 2005.

BHB award winners:

Two-year-old colt: Sir Percy
Two-year-old filly: Flashy Wings
Three-year-old colt: Motivator
Three-year-old filly: Eswarah
Older male horse: Azamour
Older female horse: Soviet Song
Champion sprinter: Pastoral Pursuits
Champion miler: Shamardal
Champion middle-distance: Azamour
Champion stayer: Westerner
Champion apprentice: Phillip Makin
Champion jockey: Kieren Fallon
Champion trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Champion owner: Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum
Horse Of The Year: Motivator