THE WORLD THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE RANKINGS CONFERENCE – 2004

 

The inaugural World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings Conference took place in Hong Kong SAR, China in December 2004. The Conference was held under the auspices of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), and superseded the International Classifications Conference, which had been held annually since 1977 under the direction of the European Pattern Committee.

 

The Conference compiled the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, the end of season assessment of those horses which had raced in or been trained in countries whose racing season ran from 1st January to 31st December 2004, and also the first edition of the IFHA’s listing of the World’s Leading Horses, which ranks the best horses to have raced anywhere in the world in 2004.

 

Ghostzapper earned top billing in both publications with his three-length success in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Grade 1) at Lone Star Park in October. As well as being the highest-rated horse in the world during 2004 for that performance over 10 furlongs (2000m), Ghostzapper, who was unbeaten in 2004, was also rated the joint-top miler, and the highest-rated on Dirt, having gained a runaway success in the Philip H Iselin Breeders’ Cup Handicap (Grade 3) in August, prior to his win in the Woodward Stakes (Grade 1) in September.

 

The principal global category-toppers of 2004 are as follows: -

 

The World's Top Ranked Horse

 

 

GHOSTZAPPER (USA)            Rated            130            Trained by        Robert J Frankel in USA

 

Won four races in 2004 including the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2000m Dirt) and Woodward Stakes (1800m Dirt).

 

The World's Top Ranked Three Year Old

 

SMARTY JONES (USA)            Rated 128      Trained by        John C Servis   in USA

 

Won three races in 2004 including two of the three legs of the American Triple Crown, Gr.1 Kentucky Derby (2000m-Dirt), Gr.1 Preakness Stakes (1900m-Dirt) and was runner up in the third leg, the Gr.1 Belmont Stakes (2400m-Dirt).

 

The World's Top Ranked Filly /Mare

 

OUIJA BOARD (GB)              Rated 120      Trained by        Edward Dunlop in GB

 

Winner of four races including three Group One events, the Oaks (2400m-Turf), Irish Oaks (2400m-Turf) and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (2200m-Turf).

 

The World's Top Ranked Sprinters [S]

 

SILENT WITNESS (AUS)            Rated 123      Trained by        Tony Cruz in HK

 

Undefeated in his career and winner five times in 2004 including the three legs of the HK Champion Sprint Series and gained his second victory in the Gr.1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1000m-Turf) in December.

 

 

PICO CENTRAL (BRZ)            Rated 123      Trained by        Paulo H Lobo in USA

 

Four wins in 2004 including three Group One victories, Carter Handicap (1400m-Dirt), Metropolitan Handicap (1600m-Dirt) and Vosburgh Stakes (1200m-Dirt).

 

The World's Top Ranked Milers [M]

 

 

GHOSTZAPPER (USA)            Rated 123      Trained by        Robert J Frankel in USA

 

Won four races in 2004 including the Woodward Stakes (1800m Dirt).

 

LONHRO (AUS)                                    Rated 123      Trained by        John Hawkes in AUS

 

Won four races in 2004 including three Group One events, C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m-Turf), Darley Australian Cup (2000m-Turf) and George Ryder Stakes (1500m-Turf).

 

RAKTI (GB)                          Rated 123      Trained by        Michael Jarvis in GB

 

Gained two Group One victories in 2004, Prince of Wales's Stakes (2000m-Turf) and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m-Turf).

 

The World's Top Ranked Intermediate Distance Performer [I]

 

GHOSTZAPPER (USA)            Rated 130      Trained by        Robert J Frankel in USA

 

Won four races in 2004 including the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2000m Dirt).

 

 

The World's Top Ranked Middle Distance Performer [L]

 

DOYEN (IRE)                         Rated 127      Trained by        Saeed bin Suroor in GB

 

Won twice in 2004 including the Gr.1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2400m-Turf).

 

 

The World's Top Ranked Stayer [E]

 

           

RULE OF LAW (USA)                        Rated 120      Trained by        Saeed bin Suroor in GB

 

Won two Group Races in 2004 including the St Leger (2900m-Turf).

 

 

The IFHA World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are the official assessment of the top performers. In 1977, France, Great Britain and Ireland published the first internationally agreed assessment of racing merit on behalf of the European Pattern Committee under the banner of the International Classifications. In 1985, Germany and Italy joined the system, to be followed by North America (both Canada and the United States) and Japan in the mid 1990s. The International Classifications continued to expand, with more and more countries becoming involved. During 2003, responsibility for the Classifications was transferred from the European Pattern Committee to the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, and the initial WTRR Conference, held in Hong Kong SAR, China in December 2004, was attended by delegates from Argentina, Australia, Hong Kong SAR, China , Macau SAR, China , New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to those from the eight countries who were first involved.

 

The World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings will be published twice each year, and will comprise those horses which have been rated at 115 or above by the WTRR Conferences. The January publication will include horses aged three years old and upwards which have either raced in, or been trained in, countries whose racing season runs from 1st January to 31st December, while the August edition will include those horses which have raced in or been trained in countries who race from 1st August to 31st July (1st July to 30th June in South America).

 

The Rankings will also appear on the IFHA website (www.ifhaonline.org), along with tables showing the top 10 horses in individual countries and the winners of Group / Grade 1 races, together with their race ratings.

 

In addition, a list of the top 50 horses will be published five times each year to give updates on the leading performers worldwide. These listings will be produced in January (following the December WTRR Conference), April (following the Dubai World Cup meeting), August (following the July WTRR Conference), October (following the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting) and November (following the Breeders’ Cup meeting). These assessments will also appear on the IFHA website. To merit inclusion, a horse must have achieved its rating within the previous six months.