PRESS RELEASE

 

Paris, 15 January 2007

 

Manduro Top Horse in 2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings

 

 

MANDURO (GER)(131) has been accorded the highest rating since the inaugural publication of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings (WTRR) back in 2004 with a mark of 131. This follows a flawless year for the German-bred, French-trained horse who was unbeaten in 2007 at all distances between 1600 and 2400 metres. Manduro was rated 120 in the 2006 WTRR but improved his overall rating by 11 pounds.

 

The World Rankings are compiled by the World Rankings Supervisory Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

 

Nigel Gray, Co-Chairman of the IFHA World Rankings Committee, explains: “His impressive performances in the Prix D’Ispahan and the Prix du Haras de Fresnay Le Buffard Jacques Le Marois merited him the title of Champion miler in 2007 but his best performance was in defeating DYLAN THOMAS (IRE)(129) in the Prince of Wales Stakes over 2000m at Royal Ascot. Having established his versatility in winning the Prix Foy over 2400m, it was a great shame that injury prevented him from showing us whether he was as good over that distance as he was over shorter distances.”

 

Following are the 10 highest-rated racehorses of 2007, according to the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. The full list and further information is available at www.IFHAonline.org.

 

World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
Top 10 Horses of 2007

 

 

 

 Garry O'Gorman, co-chairman World Rankings Supervisory Committee, applauds DYLAN THOMAS (IRE)(129), “He is the first horse since LAAMTARRA in 1995 to achieve the King George / Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere double and he added the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes to his tally over the shorter distance of 2000m.”

 

DYLAN THOMAS’ WTRR rating of 129 exceeds his 2006 rating by three pounds and he shares second place in the World Rankings with AUTHORIZED (IRE), CURLIN (USA) and INVASOR (ARG).  AUTHORIZED (IRE)(129) won the Vodafone Epsom Derby in impressive fashion and later came down in distance to 2000m and defeated DYLAN THOMAS (129) in the Juddmonte International at York.

 

Tom Robbins, chairman of the North American Ratings Committee, highlights the two top-rated racehorses in 2007 on a dirt surface: “INVASOR (ARG)(129) achieved the same rating for winning the Dubai World Cup (Sponsored by Emirates)  as he had achieved in winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Powered by Dodge) in 2006 but subsequent injury deprived him of the opportunity to improve on that performance figure. He shares the billing of top dirt horse in the world with CURLIN (USA)(129), who won the Preakness and was placed in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes before winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the autumn, the first three year old to do so since TIZNOW back in 2000.”

 

Robbins continues: RAGS TO RICHES (USA)(123) has become the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes in 102 years, and only the third in history, by defeating CURLIN (USA)(129). She was equally impressive in winning the Kentucky Oaks before injury curtailed her season. These victories enabled her to be ranked top filly/mare in the world on any surface.”

 

The best turf fillies in the world in 2007 were DARJINA (FR)(122) and PEEPING FAWN (IRE)(122). DARJINA (FR) won three Group 1 races but her most impressive performance was in defeating RAMONTI (FR)(123) in the Emirates Prix de Moulin – only her compatriot DIVINE PROPORTIONS (FR) can match her rating among female turf milers in the last ten years.

 

PEEPING FAWN (IRE)(122) won four Group 1 races for fillies and only EGYPTBAND (126)(2000) and BANKS HILL (123)(2001) have surpassed her turf rating over 2000-2400m as three year olds in the last 10 years. These three exceptional three-year-old fillies are expected to campaign again in 2008.

 

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For further details on the World Rankings, please contact:

 

Nigel Gray, co-chairman World Rankings Supervisory Committee Head of Handicapping and Race Planning, Hong Kong Jockey Club Telephone +852 2966 8337 Email nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk

Garry O'Gorman, co-chairman World Rankings Supervisory Committee Senior Flat Handicapper, Irish Turf Club Telephone +353 86 8564218 Email gaogorman@eircom.net

Tom Robbins, chairman North American Ratings Committee Vice President (Racing), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Telephone +1 858 792 4230 Email tomr@dmtc.com

Attachment                             TOP PERFORMERS BY CATEGORY

 

 

 

Although not eligible for inclusion in WTRR 2007, SACRED KINGDOM (AUS)(123), in winning the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint, was considered by the WTRR Committee to have put up the best performance by a sprinter on any surface in 2007 and warranted a rating of 123, equal to that achieved by Hong Kong legend SILENT WITNESS (AUS) in 2004 and 2005.

 

MIDNIGHT LUTE (USA)(121) put up the best performance by a dirt sprinter in winning the TVG Breeders Cup Sprint.

 

MISS ANDRETTI (AUS)(120) having conquered all comers in Australia, confirmed her status as the best female sprinter since LOCHSONG (1993/1994 ) when winning the Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

 

 

While MANDURO (GER)(126) was confirmed champion miler by the WTRR Committee, special mention must be made in this category of ADMIRE MOON (JPN)(125) and RAMONTI (FR)(123).

 

ADMIRE MOON (JPN) won the Dubai Duty Free in scintillating fashion showing the speed of a miler. He also showed all his class in winning two major Group 1 races in Japan in the ‘Long’ Category, namely the Takarazuka Kinen and the Japan Cup, arguably in spite of the distance.

 

RAMONTI (FR) won three of the major Group 1 races for milers in Europe showing great tenacity on each occasion before concluding the season by going up in distance and winning the Hong Kong Cup over 2000m.

 

 

Horses not previously mentioned who fall within this category and who deserve recognition are STREET SENSE (USA)(126) and EL SEGUNDO (NZ)(122) .

 

STREET SENSE (USA) became the first horse to complete the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile / Kentucky Derby double, defeating CURLIN (USA) in the process before CURLIN (USA) achieved narrow revenge in the Preakness Stakes.

 

EL SEGUNDO (NZ), although not eligible for the WTRR in 2007, was ranked top Australian colt by the WTRR Committee for his performance in winning the Tattersall’s Cox Plate over 2000m in October.

 

 

ENGLISH CHANNEL (USA)(125) put up a performance second only to DYLAN THOMAS (IRE)(129) in the older male category in winning the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf by seven lengths. This career-best performance improved his ranking from 121, which he achieved in 2006.

 

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (IRE) (125), in winning the Budweiser Irish Derby by nine lengths, put up a performance second only to that of his Epsom Derby conqueror AUTHORIZED (IRE)(129) among the three year olds.

 

 

SEPTIMUS (IRE)(122) put up the best performance of the year in the GNER Doncaster Cup over 3600m when he pulverised a strong field by five lengths. This performance enabled him to surpass his stablemate YEATS (IRE)(121) who achieved the same rating as in 2006 by winning the Ascot Gold Cup once more but also in winning the Irish Field Irish St. Leger for the first time from stablemate SCORPION (IRE)(120).

 

EFFICIENT (NZ)(120), was ranked joint third top stayer in the world (along with SCORPION(IRE)(120), for his performance in winning the Emirates Melbourne Cup over 3200m.

 

 

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