“Clearly the horse of the year”: Cam Luke and Mick Gannon’s best horses of 2024

Who were the best horses of the 2024 calendar year?

SENTrack’s Cam Luke and Mick Gannon both answered that question and came up with similar horses.

Luke simply cannot look past Cox Plate champion Via Sistina with a nod to a couple of others.

“I think it’s too hard to go against Via Sistina in front of Bella Nipotina,” Luke said on SENTrack.

“I probably should include Mr Brightside in this. He won four Group 1s in the calendar year - two in the autumn, two in the spring. Unbelievable.

“He deserves to be in the conversation, but Via Sistina clearly the horse of the calendar year.”

Gannon preferred to categorise his selections, naming the top horse from a ratings viewpoint as well as the best sprinter and the most promising rising star.

“I think there’s a couple of categories,” said Gannon.

“Obviously Via Sistina is clearly on top performance rating-wise.

“All the drama around it (her situation at track work prior to the Cox Plate), then to come out with that performance. How well she was travelling at the 600m, you just don’t see that in that race.

“It was remarkable, it was absolutely incredible.”

Gannon continued: “Best sprinter - Bella Nipotina takes the cake for sure.

“If I was to throw a rising star it would have to be Switzerland.

“I think we’ll see Switzerland for another preparation, he’ll probably go to a TJ Smith (before going to stud).

“There’s every chance, given Coolmore own a slot in The Everest, that he may go to another preparation and turn up there.

“It depends on how Ka Ying Rising goes. If that horse doesn’t come up next preparation, doesn’t come out to Australia or doesn’t go as good (as this prep), I think Switzerland wins an Everest.”