The Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings is compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the IFHA has released their latest figures for all horses 3yo and up which have raced between 1st January and 4th May 2014. The list features progeny of no less than 2 SA-based sires in the top 10!
JUST A WAY (JPN) [130], who won the Dubai Duty Free Stakes (G1) at Meydan by over 6 lengths in March, retains his position at the top of the third edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2014 after another month of exciting and informative racing around the world.
However his lead at the top has been cut to 4lb this month following a scintillating performance by VARIETY CLUB (SAF) [126] in the Champions Mile (G1) at Sha Tin. Already the winner of the Godolphin Mile (G2) at Meydan in March, Variety Club thrashed a quality field by 4 lengths with ABLE FRIEND (AUS) [118] finishing second.
GAME ON DUDE (USA) [125], the winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) in early March, is thus relegated to third place.
Moving up from seventh last month to fourth in the list this month is the three year old CALIFORNIA CHROME (USA) [124] who justified favouritism in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) in impressive style. Always prominent he sprinted away from the field from the top of the stretch and was winning so convincingly that his rider could start to celebrate well before the finish.
California Chrome thus becomes the highest rated three year old in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings although he may have that position challenged as some of the major European Group 1 races for three year olds take place in the next two months.
LANKAN RUPEE (AUS) [123] further strengthened his position as top sprinter in the world with a comfortable victory in the Darley TJ Smith Stakes (G1) at Randwick, moving from 121 last month up to a career high of 123 this month. Lankan Rupee has improved with every race and showed his versatility by winning on heavy ground this time.
The result of the Prix Ganay (G1) provided something of a surprise as TREVE (FR) [119], last year’s joint LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse, was defeated by CIRRUS DES AIGLES (FR) [123]. The latter was also rated 123 at the end of last year and is assessed as having replicated that figure thus improving from his run in Dubai.
Joining the top ten in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for the first time is DESIGNS ON ROME (IRE) [123] after an exciting victory in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup at Sha Tin, where he narrowly defeated MILITARY ATTACK (IRE) [123].
The full honours scroll is listed below:-
| LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Leading Horses – 4 May 2014 |
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| Rank | Horse | Rating | Trained |
| 1 | JUST A WAY (JPN) | 130 | JPN |
| 2 | VARIETY CLUB (SAF) | 126 | UAE |
| 3 | GAME ON DUDE (USA) | 125 | USA |
| 4 | CALIFORNIA CHROME (USA) | 124 | USA |
| 5 | AFRICAN STORY (GB) | 123 | UAE |
| 5 | CIRRUS DES AIGLES (FR) | 123 | FR |
| 5 | DESIGNS ON ROME (IRE) | 123 | HK |
| 5 | LANKAN RUPEE (AUS) | 123 | AUS |
| 5 | MILITARY ATTACK (IRE) (ex Rave) | 123 | HK |
| 5 | WILL TAKE CHARGE (USA) | 123 | USA |
(source: International Federation of Horseracing Authorities)
