The Official Listing of the top horses in the world
(covering the period 4th April to 4th Oct 2009)
SEA THE STARS (IRE) [135] has copperfastened his position as the top racehorse in the world following his victory on Sunday in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) 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'S LEADING HORSES |
Top 10 Horses –4th April to 4th October 2009 |
Rank |
Horse |
Rating |
Trained |
1 |
SEA THE STARS (IRE) |
135 |
IRE |
2 |
GOLDIKOVA (IRE) |
130 |
FR |
3 |
FAME AND GLORY (GB) |
129 |
IRE |
3 |
RIP VAN WINKLE (IRE) |
129 |
IRE |
5 |
CAVALRYMAN (GB) |
125 |
FR |
5 |
CONDUIT (IRE) |
125 |
GB |
5 |
MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE) |
125 |
IRE |
5 |
RACHEL ALEXANDRA (USA) |
125 |
USA |
5 |
YOUMZAIN (IRE) |
125 |
GB |
5 |
ZENYATTA (USA) |
125 |
USA |
The Irish trained three year old re-emphasised his status as one of the best racehorses we have seen when bringing his Group 1 tally to 6 in 2009 with an imperious display in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. YOUMZAIN (IRE) [125] returned to his previous career high in finishing second in this race, remarkably for the third year in a row, while French three year old colt CAVALRYMAN (GB) [125] put up a career best performance in third, just ahead of CONDUIT (IRE) [125], and fifth placed DAR RE MI (GB) [120], the first filly home in the race, who also produced her best effort to date.
Two other horses to confirm their standing as the best three year old colts in their respective divisions recently were Irish turf miler RIP VAN WINKLE (IRE) [129], in defeating ZACINTO (GB) [123] in the Queen Elizabeth II (Sponsored by Sony) (G1) at Ascot, and SUMMER BIRD (USA) [122] who consolidated his status as top three year old dirt colt in beating QUALITY ROAD (USA) [119] in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park. On the same card, KODIAK KOWBOY (USA) [119] asserted his claim to being one of the top sprinters on dirt when defeating FABULOUS STRIKE (USA) [119] in the Vosburgh (G1).
Three new entrants to the world’s top 50 horses, all owned by the Aga Khan, put up improved performances in winning Group 1 races in Paris last weekend. VARENAR (FR) [121] defeated GOLDIKOVA (FR) [130] amongst others when annexing the Total Prix de la Foret (G1), SHALANAYA (IRE) [119] took the Qatar Petroleum Prix de L’Opera (G1) in impressive fashion, while ALANDI (IRE) [119] stayed on tenaciously to prevail in the Qatar Prix du Cadran (G1).
In Asia, Japanese horse MATSURIDA GOGH (JPN) [119] once again asserted his claim to be considered one of Japan’s best horses with an impressive victory in the Sankei Sho All Comers (G2), while the most notable performance so far in the Australian spring season of racing was that put up by four year old gelding WHOBEGOTYOU (AUS) [119] in winning the Dato' Tan Chin Nam (Feehan) (G2).
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 12th November 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
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The full list and further information on the World Thoroughbred Rankings are available on the IFHA web site http://www.ifhaonline.org/