THE LONGINES WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSE RANKINGS

The official listing of the world’s best racehorses

(For 3yos and upwards which raced between 1st January and 5^th November 2023)

                                         

Following his dominant victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by Qipco) (G1), BIG ROCK (FR) [127] is now the co-fourth highest rated horse, along with HUKUM (IRE) [127], in the ninth edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2023.

 

 

 

Big Rock was unchallenged in the Queen Elizabeth II, and he pulled away to win by six lengths. He came into the race having finished second in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) behind Sauterne, the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois (G1) behind Inspiral, and the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1) behind ACE IMPACT (IRE) [128]. Big Rock won four consecutive starts earlier in the season, including the Prix la Force (G3) and Prix de Guiche (G3).

 

Also on British Champions Day, KING OF STEEL (USA) [122] proved victorious in the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1), and he raised his rating to 122 from 121.

 

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships had an impact on the latest rankings as well. WHITE ABARRIO (USA) [123] has improved his rating to 123 from 122 following his win in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), which he took by a length over DERMA SOTOGAKE (JPN) [121].

 

AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE) [124] maintains his rating of 124 following his victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), but the race affected the ratings of those he defeated. Auguste Rodin won by three-quarters of a length over UP TO THE MARK (USA) [122], who has had his rating raised to 122 from 121, while SHAHRYAR (JPN) [121] was another half-length back in third and joins this year’s rankings off that effort.

 

In Hong Kong, CALIFORNIA SPANGLE (IRE) [123] has improved his rating to 123 from 122 following his victory in the Sha Tin Trophy (G2), which he won by a half-length.

 

In Japan, JUSTIN PALACE (JPN) [121] is ranked following his second-place effort behind EQUINOX (JPN) [129], the highest rated horse in the world, in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1). Additionally, DUREZZA (JPN) [120] joins the rankings following his 3 ½ length score in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) (G1), and LEMON POP (USA) [120] drew attention by taking the Mile Championship Nambu Hai by open lengths.

 

Meanwhile, THINK ABOUT IT (AUS) [121] joins the rankings after his half-length victory over I WISH I WIN (NZ) [121] in the Tab Everest in Australia.

 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *

 

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

Chief Advisor on World Racehorse Rankings, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Telephone +852 2966 8337

Email nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk

 

Dominic Gardiner-Hill, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee

Head of Handicapping, British Horseracing Authority

E-mail dgardinerhill@britishhorseracing.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 2023 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, which will be released in January 2024.

 

E-Mail: achesser@jockeyclub.com