The Official Listing of the top horses in the world
(covering the period 1st November 2008 to 17th May 2009)
GLADIATORUS (USA) [127] has retained the mantle of top active racehorse in the world according to the latest edition of the World Thoroughbred Rankings, compiled by the panel of handicappers/racing secretaries affiliated to the IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities).
WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS |
|||
Top 13 Horses - 1st November 2008 to 17th May 2009 |
|||
Rank |
Horse |
Rating |
Trained |
1 |
GLADIATORUS (USA) |
127 |
UAE |
2 |
GOOD BA BA (USA) |
124 |
HK |
2 |
WELL ARMED (USA) |
124 |
USA |
4 |
EAGLE MOUNTAIN (GB) |
122 |
UAE |
4 |
SACRED KINGDOM (AUS) |
122 |
HK |
4 |
SCREEN HERO (JPN) |
122 |
JPN |
7 |
DEEP SKY (JPN) |
121 |
JPN |
7 |
MINE THAT BIRD (USA) |
121 |
USA |
7 |
PACO BOY (IRE) |
121 |
GB |
7 |
POCKET POWER (SAF) |
121 |
SAF |
7 |
RACHEL ALEXANDRA (USA) |
121 |
USA |
7 |
ROCKET MAN (AUS) |
121 |
SIN |
7 |
SEA THE STARS (IRE) |
121 |
IRE |
His outstanding performance in winning the Dubai Duty Free (G1) now looks even more meritorious in the light of the subsequent performances of some of his victims in that race, including the GB trained PRESVIS (GB) [120] (who subsequently won the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup (G1) at Sha Tin), ALEXANDROS (GB) [116] (narrowly defeated in the Juddmonte Lockinge (G1) at Newbury), BANKABLE (IRE) [114] (third to French trained GLORIA DE CAMPEAO (BRZ) in the Singapore Airlines International Cup (G1)) and crack Japanese mare VODKA (JPN) [119] (who romped home by 7 lengths in the Victoria Mile (G1)).
WELL ARMED (USA) [124] is still ranked the top dirt horse in the world for his wide margin win in the Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates Airlines) (G1) over GLORIA DE CAMPEAO (BRZ), but challengers to his top position are emerging among the classic generation, most notably RACHEL ALEXANDRA (USA) [121], who conquered the colts in the Blackberry Preakness (G1) and who was especially impressive in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), and MINE THAT BIRD (USA) [121], who proved his startling performance in the Kentucky Derby (presented by Yum! Brands) (G1) was no fluke when coming second in the Preakness.
Among the classic generation in Europe, Irish colt SEA THE STARS (IRE) [121] leads the way following his win in the Stan James 2000 Guineas (G1), just ahead of the French trained SILVER FROST (IRE) [119], who won the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1), and the promising Irish middle distance colt FAME AND GLORY (GB) [118], who won the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (G2) at Leopardstown.
A stirring battle between Hong Kong sprinter SACRED KINGDOM (AUS) [122] and emerging Singapore star ROCKET MAN (AUS) [121] took place in the KrisFlyer International Sprint (SIN G1) and has catapulted them to the top of the Sprinting Rankings, just ahead of a trio of Australian sprinters – SCENIC BLAST (AUS) [120], APACHE CAT (AUS) [119] and the evergreen nine year old TAKEOVER TARGET (AUS) [119], who put up his best performances in two years in winning the Sydney City Lexus TJ Smith (G1) and the Distinctive Homes Goodwood (G1) recently.
The World Thoroughbred Rankings (formerly known as ‘World's Leading Horses’) are compiled by the World Rankings Supervisory Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The next edition of the World Thoroughbred Rankings will be published on 24th June 2009.
Head of Handicapping and Race Planning, Hong Kong Jockey Club
Telephone +852 2966 8337
Email nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk
Senior Flat Handicapper, Irish Turf Club
Telephone +353 5997 26596
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
*******
The full list and further information on the World Thoroughbred Rankings are available on the IFHA web site http://www.ifhaonline.org/