Longines Worlds Best Racehorse Rankings

California Chrome gears down across the line in the Awesome Again Stakes (photo: Santa Anita)

With his imperious victory in the Gr1 Awesome Again Stakes, CALIFORNIA CHROME (USA) [133] retains the top spot in the eighth edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2016.

California Chrome was never truly challenged in the Awesome Again, as he led the entire way and finished 2 ¼ lengths ahead of his nearest competition, multiple Grade 1 winner DORTMUND (USA) [122]. In his previous start, California Chrome had beaten champion Beholder by five lengths in the Gr1 $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic Stakes.

The 5-year-old chestnut is now a perfect six-for-six in 2016. His other victories this year include the Gr1 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline, Gr2 San Diego Handicap, Gr2 San Pasqual Stakes and Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy.

In Australia, WINX (AUS) [127] won the Gr1 Colgate Optic White Stakes and Gr1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes, as she stays on course to defend her title in the Gr1 William Hill Cox Plate later this month.

The champion mare, who has won all seven of her starts this year and 12 consecutive races overall, is set to face HARTNELL (GB) [123] in the Cox Plate. A notable newcomer to this edition of the rankings, Hartnell has posted three consecutive victories Australia. His latest win came in the Gr1 Yellowglen Turnbull Stakes, and in September he won both the Gr2 Ascend Sales Trophies Hill Stakes and the Gr2 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes.

Meanwhile, in France FOUND (IRE) [123] improved her rating from 122 to 123 with her 1 ¾-length victory in the Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. It was a memorable day for Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien, as Found beat her own stablemates to the wire. HIGHLAND REEL (IRE) [122] was second, while ORDER OF ST GEORGE (IRE) [120] was third.

In her previous start, Found had finished second by three-quarters of length to ALMANZOR (FR) [127] in the Gr1 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes. The two are set to meet again in the Gr1 QIPCO Champion Stakes on Saturday, where they will also face last year’s winner, FASCNATING ROCK (IRE) [123].

Also on Arc Day, LIMATO (IRE) [122] won the Gr1 Qatar Prix de la Foret to improve his rating from 120 to 122. His other big victory this year came in the Gr1 Darley July Cup.

In America, SONGBIRD (USA) [123] continued to impress with her 5 ¾-length score in the Cotillion Stakes (G1). With that win, she improved her rating from 122 to 123 and remains undefeated in 11 career starts.

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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).

The next edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings will be published on Thursday, 10 November 2016.

(source:  IFHA)