THE LONGINES WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSE RANKINGS

The official listing of the world’s best racehorses

(For 3yos and upwards which raced between 1^st January and 7^th November 2021)

 

After a dominant performance in the LONGINES Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), KNICKS GO (USA) [128] stands alone at the top of the ninth edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

From the start, Knicks Go sprinted clear of his rivals in the Classic, eventually pulling away to a 2 ¾-length victory over MEDINA SPIRIT (USA) [123]. ESSENTIAL QUALITY (USA) [122] was three-quarters of a length behind in third, while HOT ROD CHARLIE (USA) [121] finished fourth.

 

With his win in the Classic, Knicks Go improved his rating to 128 from 124. His other victories throughout the year include the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), Whitney Stakes (G1), Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3), and Lukas Classic Stakes (G3).

 

Another horse who improved his rating during the Breeders’ Cup World Championships is LIFE IS GOOD (USA) [123]. His rating rose to 123 from 120 following his 5 ¾-length score in the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1). Furthermore, YIBIR (GB) [120] is newly ranked following his win in the LONGINES Breeders' Cup Turf (G1).

 

British Champions Day also played host to a number of memorable performances. BAAEED (GB) [124] is now co-seventh in the rankings following his performance in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1). The undefeated colt bested PALACE PIER (GB) [125] by a neck to get the victory and raise his rating to 124 from 121. Additionally, SEALIWAY (FR) [123] finds himself ranked following his win in the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1). In that contest, he defeated DUBAI HONOUR (IRE) [121], who is also now ranked, by three-quarters of a length.

 

In Japan, EFFORIA (JPN) [123] improved his rating to 123 from 120 by taking the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) by a length over CONTRAIL (JPN) [121]. Finishing a neck back in third was GRAN ALEGRIA (JPN) [121].

 

Meanwhile, several horses also put in impressive efforts this past month in Australia. VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) [122] is ranked following her four-length victory over INCENTIVISE (AUS) [122] in the Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1), while STATE OF REST (IRE) [120] is ranked off of his win in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1). Additionally, MASKED CRUSADER (AUS) [122] is ranked following his game second to NATURE STRIP (AUS) [124] in the Tab Everest.

  

*  *  *  *  *  *

 

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.

 

The next edition of the rankings is the year-end 2021 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, which will be released in January 2022.

 

E-Mail : achesser@jockeyclub.com