Next Tuesday in London the world of horseracing will gather to honour the champions of 2015 and to present one of the most prestigious awards in the sport, that of the Award of Merit.

When you consider that Queen Elizabeth, the Aga Khan, Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan and Prince Khalid Abdullah are five of the previous recipients of the award, you will understand how highly valued the award is. A number of Irishmen have also been honoured over the years and they include the late Sir Peter O’Sullevan, John Magnier, John Oxx and Jim Bolger, while Tony McCoy was given a special award in 2002.

This year’s winner will be announced at the ceremony and is set to be one of the most popular choices in the now quarter of a century of the awards. The glittering occasion that is awards night will have one bittersweet element to it however. The 25th Cartier Racing Awards marks the final occasion at which Arnaud Bamberger will preside, a role he has occupied with great aplomb since he joined Cartier in London 23 years ago.

Credit for the concept that has developed into the most respected and cherished awards in racing is given to Wing Commander Tim Vigors and the then head of public relations at Cartier, Pilar Boxford. When I spoke with Arnaud Bamberger this week he was keen to stress the important role that both of these people played in setting up the awards.

Arnaud is also keen to emphasise the team when speaking of the awards. “I didn’t do it on my own. I believed in it and developed it but it was started by Tim and Pilar. Without Tim we would never have achieved what we did and I want to pay tribute and respect to Tim. I loved Tim.”

When Arnaud joined Cartier it was his vision to expand the awards, which now have a global reach and influence. As part of that strategy he had to make the difficult decision – conveyed during what he describes as a ‘terrible lunch’ – to replace Tim Vigors and the man handed the baton was Harry Herbert. With Harry and the team at Cartier, Arnaud has overseen the blossoming of the awards into racing’s premier gala occasion.

The chemistry between Arnaud and Harry is evident. They are both serious about what they do, but they enjoy doing it. Arnaud explains: “Harry knows all the right people. He has helped to make the awards quite glamorous. I love Harry. He has extremely high values and this fits well with the brand of Cartier. Like myself he has high standards and a great attention to detail. This is a team effort but it is orchestrated by Harry.”

While he has immersed himself in the world of racing, which he sees as having many synergies with the world renowned brand that is Cartier, Arnaud has so far resisted Harry Herbert’s attempts to seduce him into racehorse ownership. That may yet be something for the future. “He tries every year, as does Ed Dunlop, but I look more wealthy than I am. Some of my family have been involved. Maybe one day.”

Asked about his most memorable presentations, Arnaud mentions three that were outstanding. In the Millennium year he visited Buckingham Palace with Harry Herbert and his father, the Earl of Carnarvon, then the Queen’s racing manager, to present an award for her outstanding contribution to racing and breeding. Two years ago he had the pleasure of paying a return visit when Estimate was adjudged to be the champion stayer. Harry also has fond memories of those visits.

The presentations to Sheikh Mohammed in the desert and to his wife Princess Haya in her palace, and those to the Aga Khan, also rank highly.

However, all of these memorable events are eclipsed by an honour that Arnaud says he will cherish forever. That was to be invited by the Queen to travel in the carriage at Royal Ascot, an endorsement of the high standing that he, Cartier and the awards hold in racing. He recalls the day with huge joy. “I was invited to lunch with Her Majesty and travel in the carriage with my wife. I think I will still remember it on my deathbed. You know, I was trying not to wave. You just say, mamma mia, I have made it!”

Arnaud and Harry’s professional relationship has developed over the years into a strong friendship. Their bond also has its funny moments and Harry loves to take a light-hearted swipe or two at Arnaud during his presentation on awards night. Arnaud, whose pronunciation of ‘Arry is now the stuff of legend, takes the joking with good grace. “Harry is a good comedian,” he says, laughing heartily.

What does Harry think of Arnaud? “He is a remarkable man. He has steered Cartier brilliantly and is a very astute businessman. He is utterly unique and a very generous man. European racing owes Arnaud an enormous debt of gratitude for what he has done. Cartier put in a significant amount of money to make these awards the best.

“The number of calls I get about the awards speaks volumes for their standing and prestige. People like George Strawbridge say they are in a different league. Similarly with John Magnier. The Aga Khan still talks to me about them, and the smile on the Queen’s face says it all. They all say there is no award like it.

“When the awards started Tim Vigors had a particular vision to reward horses that raced more often and hence the pattern system was used. The system has evolved since then. There has been incredibly little controversy over the years.”

Harry also has some very personal reasons to be fond of the Cartier Awards. Given a special presentation himself by Arnaud one year, he is quite emotional as he speaks about the time he gave two awards to his own father who raced the champion juvenile fillies Lyric Fantasy and Lemon Souffle in successive years. His father also bred the latter at Highclere.

Having been a champion for the awards, is there a worry about the future and the involvement of Cartier? Arnaud expresses the wish of everyone in the world of racing when he says, “I hope the Cartier Racing Awards will always remain the Cartier Racing Awards.” As honorary chairman of Cartier UK when he retires, he will hopefully work to ensure it happens. Racing has much to be grateful to Cartier and Arnaud Bamberger for.

There have been many emotional moments for both Arnaud and Harry over the years. An ailing Francois Boutin standing proud to receive his award was an early one, as were the reactions from the Head family. Peter O’Sullevan’s absence this year will be keenly felt, while the Frankel presentations made without Henry Cecil in attendance was a moving evening.

Harry admits that Tuesday will also be emotional as Arnaud’s last in charge. “I think it will be immensely emotional for Arnaud. It is a hell of a long time for any sponsorship and Arnaud has put his stamp on the awards. He has invested great energy into them.”

Let us all hope that Tuesday night is a case of adieu and not au revoir to Arnaud.