California Chrome impressed in the
Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) when he romped to a 3 ¾- length victory despite his saddle slipping significantly during the race. The 5-year-old Lucky Pulpit horse improved his rating from 121 to 126 with that performance. California Chrome has won all three of his starts thus far in 2016. He took the
San Pasqual Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita before going to Dubai, where he easily won the
Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy at Meydan as a prep for the Dubai World Cup.
Joining California Chrome at the top of the rankings is Australia’s Winx. A troubled trip and a hefty weight assignment could not keep her from crossing the wire first in the
Star Doncaster Mile (G1). With that victory, Winx pushed her winning streak to nine, including six Group 1 scores, dating back to May 2015. Other major wins to the Street Cry mare’s credit in 2016 include the
China Horse Club George Ryder Stakes (G1),
Precise Air Chipping Norton Stakes (G1), and the
Optus Business Apollo Stakes (G2).
POSTPONED (IRE) [124] also posted a memorable performance in Dubai when he defeated Japanese champion
DURAMENTE (JPN) [121] by two lengths in the
Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines (G1). LAST IMPACT (JPN) [118] was third. Postponed had begun the year with a three length score in the
Dubai City of Gold Sponsored by Skycargo (G2), while Duramente won the
Nakayama Kinen (G2) at the end of February.
Joining Duramente in the co-fourth position is Australian sprinting sensation
CHAUTAUQUA (AUS) [121], who went from last to first while defending his title in the
Darley T J Smith Stakes (G1). He is the first horse to win the race in back-to-back years, although Black Caviar won it in both 2011 and 2013. Chautauqua’s connections now have the May 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (G1) in Hong Kong under consideration, as well as a trip to Royal Ascot in June.
Meanwhile, undefeated
SONGBIRD (USA) [120] continued to impress in the lead up to the May 6 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). The 3-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly took the
Santa Anita Oaks (G1) with ease in her last start even though it was the first time she faced a sloppy track. Songbird has won all seven career starts by open lengths, and her other victories this year include the
Las Virgenes Stakes (G2) and
Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3).
The highest-rated 3-year-old colt is undefeated
NYQUIST (USA) [118], who extended his graded stakes-winning streak to six by taking the
Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1). He started the year with a win in the
San Vicente Stakes (G2), and the Uncle Mo colt is the expected favourite for the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
In South Africa,
LEGAL EAGLE (SAF) [118] added another Group 1 to his list of accomplishments when he won the
H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (G1) in April. Earlier this year, he took the
L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate (G1) and finished second behind
SMART CALL (SAF) [119] in the
J&B Met (G1).
A number of horses find themselves newly ranked after a busy month of racing around the globe. Dubai World Cup night is known for its high-class card, and this year was no exception.
VAZIRABAD (FR) [118] was victorious in the
Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Moters (G2),
BUFFERING (AUS) [118] took the
Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Meydan Hotels & Hospitality (G1), and
REAL STEEL (JPN) [119] won the
Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1).
Another Japanese newcomer is
GOLD ACTOR (JPN) [119], who kicked off his 2016 season by winning the
Nikkei Sho (G2). Elsewhere,
DON INC (ARG) [118] is ranked after his gutsy half-length victory in the
Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1). With that win, Don Inc became the fifth Argentine-trained horse to take the South American continental championship.
* * * * * *
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).
For further details on the
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, please contact:
Nigel Gray, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee
Head of Handicapping and Race Planning, Hong Kong Jockey Club
Telephone +852 2966 8337
Email
nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk
Phillip Smith, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee
Head of Handicapping, British Horseracing Authority
Telephone +44 1386 834004
mail
psmith@britishhorseracing.com
Tom Robbins, chairman, North American Ratings Committee
Executive Vice President, Racing & Industry Relations, Racing Secretary, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Telephone +1 858 792 4230
Email
tomr@dmtc.com
* * * * * *
The full list and further information on the
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website
http://www.ifhaonline.org.
The next edition of the
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings will be published on
Thursday 12th May 2016. 
