California Chrome
The seventh edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2016 features several major changes at the top, led by CALIFORNIA CHROME (USA) [133], who improved his rating from 128 to 133 with his dominating performance in the $1 Million Gr1 TVG Pacific Classic Stakes to once again be the highest rated horse in the world.
Although he was facing the likes of champion Beholder and multiple Grade 1 winner DORTMUND (USA) [122], California Chrome made easy work of his competition in the Pacific Classic. The 5-year-old chestnut led gate to wire to win by five lengths and is a perfect five-for-five 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.
A new major player to the rankings is ARROGATE (USA) [129], who is now the co-second highest rated horse in the world alongside A SHIN HIKARI (JPN) [129]. In his first start in graded stakes company, the 3-year-old colt made history when he won the Gr1 Travers Stakes by 13 ½ lengths and broke a track record that had stood for 37 years. Plans call for Arrogate to train up to the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, where he would face California Chrome.
Another notable newcomer is ALMANZOR (FR) [127], the Gr1 Prix du Jockey Club hero who defeated a strong field in the Gr1 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes. The French raider bested FOUND (IRE) [122] by three-quarters of a length, while MINDING (IRE) [120] was third in the highlight of LONGINES Irish Champions weekend.
Elsewhere, star mare WINX (AUS) [127] continued her winning ways, taking the Gr2 Warwick Stakes in her spring debut. She was then scratched from the Gr2 Chelmsford Stakes due to the track conditions but is set to run in Saturday’s Gr1 Colgate Optic White Stakes. In England, POSTPONED (IRE) [124] added to his winning streak by taking the Gr1 Juddmonte International Stakes over HIGHLAND REEL (IRE) [121] and MUTAKAYYEF (GB) [120], while in America SONGBIRD (USA) [122] remained undefeated whilst winning the Gr1 Alabama Stakes.
Veteran FLINTSHIRE (GB) [123] is ranked for the fourth consecutive year after his 1 ¾-length victory in the Gr1 LONGINES Sword Dancer Stakes, which he also won in 2015. Meanwhile, MECCA’S ANGEL (IRE) [121] is ranked after she defeated LIMATO (IRE) [120] to repeat in the Gr1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.
In France, Gr1 Japanese Derby winner MAKAHIKI (JPN) [121] won the Gr2 Qatar Prix Niel in preparation for his anticipated start in the Gr1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Chantilly. Also during the Arc Trials, VADAMOS (FR) [121] won the Gr1 Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. In his prior race, Vadamos finished second to RIBCHESTER (IRE) [121] in the Gr1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jaques Le Marois.
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LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Leading Horses |
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| Rank | Horse | Rating | Trained |
| 1 | CALIFORNIA CHROME (USA) | 133 | USA |
| 2 | A SHIN HIKARI (JPN) | 129 | JPN |
| 2 | ARROGATE (USA) | 129 | USA |
| 4 | ALMANZOR (FR) | 127 | FR |
| 4 | WINX (AUS) | 127 | AUS |
| 6 | FROSTED (USA) | 126 | USA |
| 7 | MAURICE (JPN) | 124 | JPN |
| 7 | NYQUIST (USA) | 124 | USA |
| 7 | POSTPONED (IRE) | 124 | GB |
| 7 | WERTHER (NZ) | 124 | HK |
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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, 13 October 2016.
(source: IFHA)
