Motivator, owned by the Royal Ascot Racing Club, landed the top prize at the BHB 2005 British Flat Racing Awards in central London today. As well as being named Horse of the Year, last year’s runaway Vodafone Derby victor scooped the Champion Three-Year-Old Colt Award.

Established to coincide with the publication of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings – and in the case of two-year-olds, the European Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings – the BHB Awards give official recognition to British Racing’s Flat Champions, both equine and human.

In front of a specially–invited audience of over 210, including Minister for Sport the Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP and owners, trainers, jockeys, senior industry figures and the media, BHB Chairman Martin Broughton presented trophies to the winners of the 15 Award categories.

Azamour 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 Award. Other winners included Sir Percy in the Two-Year-Old Colt category, Shamardal as Champion Miler and Pastoral Pursuits as Champion Sprinter.

Each BHB Award was won by the highest-rated horse in the respective Rankings category, provided that 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 Chairman Martin Broughton said: “2005 once again saw British Flat Racing lead the way in quality and diversity, and the BHB Awards offer lasting recognition to those who helped to make our sport what it is.

“Motivator made his mark last season beyond the confines of the racing industry, helping to promote the scope and thrill of racehorse ownership. His relatively inexpensive purchase price as a yearling also gives hope to all of us who would like to own a Derby winner. There were a number of contenders for the Horse of The Year Award, but he fitted the bill in achieving an outstanding level of racecourse performance and raising the profile of British Racing.”