On June 16 2013, at Chantilly, Louis ROMANET, IFHA Chairman and Walter von KÄNEL, President of the Swiss watchmaker LONGINES announced the signature of a long term partnership between the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and LONGINES.
According to this agreement, that will be applied from 1st June 2013, LONGINES becomes the Official Partner and the Official Watch of IFHA.
Furthermore, LONGINES will become as well the official sponsor of the “WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSES RANKINGS” classifying the top thoroughbred racehorses in the World, which is published about ten times a year by IFHA on its website (www.ifhaonline.org).
The 2013 Ranking list, up to June 9th, has been published today.
IFHA and LONGINES will present an award to the owners of the top three racehorses of the year during the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Gala reception in December 2013.
Additionally, an annual “LONGINES and IFHA International Award of Merit” will be presented to an outstanding international personality of the horseracing industry ; it could be an owner, a breeder, a trainer, a jockey or any person linked with the horseracing industry.
« LONGINES is very proud to become the Official Partner and the Official Watch of the IFHA. This partnership represents an important step in our involvement in equestrian sports. One of our first chronographs, produced in 1878, was already made for horseraces.
This agreement is true to our tradition and our passion in equestrian sports.
As we become as well the official sponsor of the “WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSES RANKINGS” », we support the very important work of the IFHA, that favours the standing of equestrian sports all around the world. »
Walter von Känel, President of LONGINES
« I am very pleased to have signed such an agreement with LONGINES which emphasises the role of the famous Swiss watchmaker as the very first partner of the worldwide horseracing industry.
Thanks to LONGINES, we will be able to increase the promotion of the best racehorses and to honour the personality who will have left his mark on the racing season at international level. »
Louis Romanet, IFHA Chairman
THE LONGINES WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSES RANKINGS
The LONGINES World’s Best Racehorses Rankings is horseracing’s equivalent to World Rankings by other major sporting organizations such as the ATP Tennis Rankings, World Golf Rankings, FIFA World Rankings for soccer and IRB Rugby World Rankings.
The LONGINES Rankings are based on the ratings earned by horses running worldwide from North and South America, Europe, Middle East, South Africa, Asia through to Australia and New Zealand.
International Racing Festivals such as the Dubai World Cup (March), Royal Ascot (June), Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (October), Breeders’ Cup World Championships (November) and LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (December) provide the opportunity for horses to participate on a truly international stage.
The LONGINES Rankings are compiled under the auspices of The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) by racing officials & handicappers representing the five continents who confer with their colleagues on both national and international events.
The Ratings are based on the performance of horses in elite races held during the designated period taking into account the quality of opposition and achievements of each horse.
Throughout the year the LONGINES Rankings are published at regular intervals with the consolidated annual rankings released in January.
The annual rankings cover the full calendar year and denote the champions in the different categories, the distances for example sprint or mile, surfaces, turf or dirt/artificial, horse age and the special Fillies & Mares category.
THE LONGINES WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSES RANKINGS - 2013
Following the retirement of Frankel last October, the new leader in the rankings is the undefeated Australian mare BLACK CAVIAR (AUS) (130), trained by Peter Moody. This remarkable mare remained undefeated after twenty five starts being the Champion sprinter in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 World Thoroughbred Rankings. She retired from racing following three Group One victories in 2013.
Breeders’ Cup Mile winner WISE DAN (USA) (129) heads the mile category extended his winning sequence to six with two G1 victories in 2013.
The leading performers on dirt/artificial surface are Emirates Dubai World Cup winner ANIMAL KINGDOM (USA) (126) and GAME ON DUDE (USA) (126) undefeated on four starts in the USA since 1st December.
The three year old generation enter in LONGINES Rankings this month headed by Qipco 2000 Guineas winner DAWN APPROACH (IRE) (125) trained for Godolphin by Jim Bolger in Ireland.
The other Classic 3yo’s winners which appear are MAGICIAN (IRE) (122), Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas), ORB (USA) (122), Kentucky Derby presented by YUM! BRANDS, INTELLO (GER) (120), Prix du Jockey Club and RULER OF THE WORLD (IRE) (120), Investec Derby.
WORLD’S THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS - 2012
The 2012 Rankings were headed by the remarkable and invincible FRANKEL (GB) (rated 140), owned by Khalid Abdullah, trained in GB by Sir Henry Cecil and undefeated in fourteen races being ridden throughout his career by Tom Queally.
He was followed in the Rankings by three exceptional horses, two of which the French trained CIRRUS DES AIGLES (FR) (131) and Irish trained EXCELEBRATION (IRE) (130) who were both beaten by Frankel (GB). The third the undefeated Australian filly BLACK CAVIAR (AUS) (130) was also the champion sprinter and continued her reign as Champion Filly & Mare.
Godolphin’s MONTEROSSO (GB) (126) earned the top spot for a performance on a dirt/artificial surface by winning the Emirates Dubai World Cup.
The Champion 3yo was the Doug O’Neill trained I’LL HAVE ANOTHER (USA) (125) who won two of the three legs of the US Triple Crown, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
The full list of the LONGINES World Best Racehorse Rankings and previous annual World Thoroughbred Rankings are available on the IFHA website www.ifhaonline.org.
LONGINES has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. LONGINES has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, LONGINES is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries.
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