In association with the Longines World Racing Awards, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has published its annual list of Top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 races.
The ranked list is compiled using the annual race ratings, which are calculated based on the first four finishers in each race. Longines and the IFHA use this list to determine the winner of the annual Longines World's Best Horse Race Award.
The 2023 Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1) has been honoured as the highest rated race in the world. This is the first time a race hosted in Asia has won. In 2023, the Japan Cup achieved a rating of 126.75 after Grade 1 winners Equinox (JPN), Liberty Island (JPN), Stars On Earth (JPN), and Do Deuce (JPN) were the first four across the finish line.
The remaining Top 10 rated races are the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (126.50), Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (124.75), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (124.50), Takarazuka Kinen (124.25), Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (123.50), Tenno Sho (Autumn) (123.50), Arima Kinen (123.00), Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard - Jacques Le Marois (122.75), and Juddmonte International Stakes (122.25).
The top rated races in the five respective distance categories are the Yulong Stud Newmarket Handicap (119.50-Sprint); Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard - Jacques Le Marois (122.75-Mile); Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (123.50-Intermediate); Japan Cup in association with Longines (126.75-Long); and Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) (117.50-Extended).
The Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (116.25), Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (116.25), and Qatar Nassau Stakes (116.25) jointly hold the title of highest rated race for fillies/mares, while the highest rated 3-year-old race is the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (121.50).
Eleven countries comprise this year's list, representing the foremost racing events throughout the world across 39 different racecourses. Australia leads all countries with 24 total races, followed by Great Britain (17), United States (17), Japan (15), Hong Kong SAR, China (12), France (6), Ireland (3), United Arab Emirates (3), New Zealand (2), South Africa (2), and Saudi Arabia (1). Because of a six-way tie for the 97th spot on the list of Top 100 G1 races, the 2023 edition consists of 102 races.
The list of the Top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 races can be found on the IFHA website or by following the direct link at
https://ifhaonline.org/resources/WTGradedRanking/LWGRank.asp?batch=7.
In the context of their partnership, Longines and the IFHA have created a set of prizes rewarding racehorses, jockeys and prominent women and men of the equestrian world. The Longines World's Best Horse Race was created to complete this collection of awards by rewarding the top race in the world. The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe won the title in 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, and it was the inaugural winner in 2015. The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic won in 2022 and 2016, while the Juddmonte International Stakes won in 2020.
The Top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 races also serve as the base of an annual competition to recognize top jockeys throughout the world. The jockey who outperforms his or her peers in these races is honoured with the Longines World's Best Jockey Award, and Ryan Moore won the title in 2023. He also won in 2021, 2016, and was the inaugural winner in 2014. Frankie Dettori has also won four times, with his victories coming in 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2015. Hugh Bowman won the title in 2017, while James McDonald was named the Longines World’s Best Jockey in 2022.
The 2024 Longines World's Best Jockey Award will be based upon performances in these 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third.
