Three horses have jointly earned the title of
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse for 2019, a first since the award was created in 2013. Equally rated at 128,
CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB) [128],
ENABLE (GB) [128], and
WALDGEIST (GB) [128] share the 2019 title after a year of compelling competition.
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings
Leading Horses
click here for complete rankings
|
| Rank |
Horse |
Rating |
Trained |
| 1 |
CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB) |
128 |
GB |
| 1 |
ENABLE (GB) |
128 |
GB |
| 1 |
WALDGEIST (GB) |
128 |
FR |
| 4 |
BEAUTY GENERATION (NZ) |
127 |
HK |
| 5 |
BATTAASH (IRE) |
126 |
GB |
| 5 |
GHAIYYATH (IRE) |
126 |
GB |
| 5 |
LYS GRACIEUX (JPN) |
126 |
JPN |
| 5 |
VINO ROSSO (USA) |
126 |
USA |
| 9 |
BENBATL (GB) |
125 |
GB |
| 9 |
GLORY VASE (JPN) |
125 |
JPN |
| 9 |
WINX (AUS) |
125 |
AUS |
The trio of European runners competed against each other throughout the year, trading victories as they did so. Crystal Ocean won the
Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1), while Waldgeist was third; Enable beat Crystal Ocean by a neck in the
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (G1) with Waldgeist in third; and Waldgeist turned the tables on Enable when he defeated her in the
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).
Ultimately, Crystal Ocean earned his rating in the King George, as he was carrying 3lbs more than Enable; Enable received her rating for her dominating victory in the
Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1); and Waldgeist achieved his rating following the Arc.
Fourth position is held by Hong Kong champion
BEAUTY GENERATION (NZ) [127]. A powerhouse at the beginning of 2019, he reeled off five consecutive victories from January to October, including the
Celebration Cup (G3). Beauty Generation carried 133lbs in that handicap, spotting his rivals up to 20lbs, to earn his rating.
Four horses from around the globe share fifth place after being equally rated at 126.
BATTAASH (IRE) [126] impressed in the
Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (G1);
GHAIYYATH (IRE) [126] took the
LONGINES Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) by 14 lengths;
LYS GRACIEUX (JPN) [126] closed out the year in style in the
Arima Kinen (G1); and
VINO ROSSO (USA) [126] was victorious in the
LONGINES Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) to sit in the co-fifth position.
The Top 10 for 2019 is rounded out by three horses in co-ninth place after each being rated at 125.
BENBATL (GB) [125] romped in the
Shadwell Joel Stakes (G2);
GLORY VASE (JPN) [125] lived up to his name in the
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (G1); and the mighty
WINX (AUS) [125], the
2018 co-Longines World’s Best Racehorse, earned her highest rating of 2019 in the
TAB Chipping Norton Stakes (G1).
Overall, 296 horses, trained in 17 different countries, were rated 115 or higher. The full list and further information on the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website ifhaonline.org.
* * * * * *
The
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).
For further details on the
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, please contact:
Nigel Gray, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee
Head of Handicapping, Race Planning and International Racing, Hong Kong Jockey Club
Telephone +852 2966 8337
Email nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk
Phillip Smith, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee
Email phil@phillipsmithconsulting.com
Tom Robbins, chairman, North American Ratings Committee
Executive Vice President, Racing & Industry Relations, Racing Secretary, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Telephone +1 858 792 4230
Email tomr@dmtc.com
* * * * * *
The full list and further information on the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website
http://www.ifhaonline.org.
