The Official Listing of the top horses in the world
(covering the period 9th May to 8th Nov 2009)
The recently retired Irish colt SEA THE STARS (IRE) [135] retains his position as the top racehorse in the world according to the latest edition of the World Thoroughbred Rankings (WTR), compiled by the panel of handicappers/racing secretaries affiliated to the IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities).
WORLD'S LEADING HORSES |
Top 10 Horses –9th May to 8th November 2009 |
Rank |
Horse |
Rating |
Trained |
1 |
SEA THE STARS (IRE) |
135 |
IRE |
2 |
GOLDIKOVA (IRE) |
130 |
FR |
3 |
RIP VAN WINKLE (IRE) |
129 |
IRE |
4 |
FAME AND GLORY (GB) |
128 |
IRE |
4 |
ZENYATTA (USA) |
128 |
USA |
6 |
CAVALRYMAN (GB) |
125 |
FR |
6 |
CONDUIT (IRE) |
125 |
GB |
6 |
GIO PONTI (USA) |
125 |
USA |
6 |
RACHEL ALEXANDRA (USA) |
125 |
USA |
6 |
YOUMZAIN (IRE) |
125 |
GB |
There have been a number of important races run worldwide since the last WTR update, most notably the Breeders Cup series of races in North America. ZENYATTA (USA) [128] created history and continued her fourteen win unbeaten sequence in memorable fashion by becoming the first filly or mare ever to defeat the males in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), in the process establishing herself as the top horse on any surface in North America. She defeated two colts who put up career best performances : GIO PONTI (USA) [125] (who has been the dominant Turf horse in North America throughout 2009) and the improving British colt TWICE OVER (GB) [123] who had earlier annexed the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (G1) at Newmarket defeating MAWATHEEQ (USA) [121].
Both CONDUIT (IRE) [125] and GOLDIKOVA (IRE) [130] managed to repeat their Breeders’ Cup winning performances from 2008 in Santa Anita. Conduit defeated PRESIOUS PASSION (USA) [123] and DAR RE MI (GB) [120] in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) while Goldikova affirmed her high standing in the rankings by defeating three year old American colt COURAGEOUS CAT (USA) [122] in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). MIDDAY (GB) [120] also put up a career best effort in winning the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1).
Elsewhere there have been a number of notable performances at the Melbourne Spring Carnival in Australia. SO YOU THINK (NZ) [122] established himself as the top three year old colt in Australasia when beating the older horses in the Tatts WS Cox Plate (G1) at Moonee Valley and reaffirmed his ranking when second recently in the Emirates – Cantala Stakes (G1) at Flemington, while VIEWED (AUS) [122] carried top weight to victory in the BMW Caulfield Cup (G1). Meanwhile in Japan, the evergreen eight year old COMPANY (JPN) [121] has defeated top Japanese mare VODKA (JPN) [120] twice since the start of the autumn season of racing, most recently in winning the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1).
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).
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/