On 22 January, Swiss watch brand Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) were proud to celebrate the 2019 Longines World’s Best Racehorse and Longines World’s Best Horse Race awards ceremony in London. For the first time in the event’s history, three Thoroughbreds shared the title of 2019 Longines World’s Best Racehorse, with an equal rating, while the Longines Best Horse Race Award was presented to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for a remarkable fourth time..
This Wednesday, the elite met in London, marking the seventh time that Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) have honoured the top Thoroughbred racehorses of the previous year, during a ceremony which also crowned the Longines World’s Best Horse Race for a fifth time. At the iconic Landmark hotel, the title of 2019 co-Longines World’s Best Racehorse was shared between Crystal Ocean (GB), Enable (GB) and Waldgeist (GB), who were all jointly rated at 128.
Crystal Ocean’s biggest victory of the year came in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes during Royal Ascot. He was ridden by three-time Longines World’s Best Jockey Lanfranco “Frankie” Dettori – also present at the ceremony – in the Prince of Wales’ Stakes and by two-time Longines World’s Best Jockey Ryan Moore in the Al Rayyan and Gordon Richards before retiring to stud in Ireland in 2020.
Co-Longines World’s Best Racehorse Enable reeled off three consecutive Group 1 victories in 2019, including defeating both Crystal Ocean and Waldgeist in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes. The mare’s jockey in 2019 – and for most of her career – was Dettori. Enable has been rated as one of the Top 10 horses in the world every year she has been eligible for the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, and she is expected to race in 2020.
Waldgeist received his rating of 128 for his impressive victory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which he won over Enable. In 2019, Waldgeist also won the Prix Ganay and the Qatar Prix Foy. The British-bred and French-trained racehorse retired after his victory in the Arc and will stand at stud in Ireland in 2020.
The winning connections were presented with elegant Longines watches a well as a replica of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse vase, named Equus, by representatives of Longines and IFHA. The Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are established by international handicappers according to the performance of the horses in top races. In the previous edition, England’s Cracksman (GB) and Australia’s Winx (AUS) were celebrated as the joint winners of the 2018 Longines World’s Best Racehorse title.
This afternoon, Longines and the IFHA were also delighted to celebrate the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as the 2019 Longines World’s Best Horse Race. Longines is proud to be the Official Partner and Official Timekeeper of this historic race, which takes place at ParisLongchamp Racecourse and attracts each year the best horses, jockeys, trainers and owners from all over the world.
The Longines World’s Best Horse Race Award recognizes the best-rated race of the highest-rated Group 1 international races as established by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings of the top four finishers in each race serve as basis for the assessment. Present in London to accept the award, France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild received an elegant Longines timepiece as well as a replica of the trophy, representing a proud horse head.
Longines and Equestrian Sports
Longines’ passion for the equestrian world dates back to 1869, when the brand produced its first equestrian pocket watch, displaying a proud horse head. A few years later, in 1878, Longines developed a chronograph movement, fitted in a case engraved with a jockey and his mount. Seen on the racetracks as early as 1881, this type of timepieces proved extremely popular among jockeys and horse-lovers, as it enabled its user to time performances to the second. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrian sports includes flat racing as well as show-jumping, dressage, driving and eventing competitions. Longines chose to support equestrian sports as a perfect illustration of its core values: Tradition, Elegance and Performance. In collaborating with major equestrian organizations such as the IFHA, the FEI and the FEGENTRI, the brand is committed to develop the sport worldwide in a sustainable and respectful way.
About Longines
Based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland since 1832, Longines watchmakers enjoy an expertise steeped in tradition, elegance and performance. With generations of experience as the official timekeeper for world championships, and as a partner of international sports federations, Longines has created strong and long-lasting relationships in the world of sports, over the years. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd., the world’s leading watchmaker. The Longines brand, with its winged hourglass emblem, is established in over 150 countries.
Longines International Communications: publicrelations@longines.com – www.longines.com
All press material is available on mediacenter.longines.com
About the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) is the world peak body for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing. Its members are the national racing authorities across the globe which stage Thoroughbred races. The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
E-Mail : achesser@jockeyclub.com
|
