Classic winning Orby graduate Simple Verse was crowned Top Stayer of 2015 at the prestigious 25th annual Cartier Racing Awards in London last night.
Simple Verse gave Qatar Racing an unforgettable season when providing Sheikh Fahad with his first British Classic and first British Champions Day wins.
Trained by Ralph Beckett, Simple Verse won the Group 1 Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster, the first filly since 1992 to land the world’s oldest Classic. She followed this with a brilliant victory in the Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot.
Simple Verse was purchased by David Redvers at the Goffs Orby Sale 2013. She was bred and consigned by Barronstown Stud, and joins an honour roll of Barronstown Classic winners sold at Orby that goes back to Derby winner Generous.
All the team at Goffs wish to congratulate Sheikh Fahad, David Redvers, Ralph Beckett and David and Diane Nagle of Barronstown Stud.
The Cartier Award for Two Year Old Colt went to the Aidan O’Brien trained Air Force Blue whose three Group 1 victories included the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend at The Curragh.
Owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, the son of War Front also landed the Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes and Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes this year and is favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas.