In association with the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse and LONGINES World's Best Horse Race Ceremony, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has published its annual list of top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 races. The full list can be https://www.ifhaonline.org/resources/WTGradedRanking/LWGRank.asp?batch=2
The ranked list is compiled using the annual race ratings, which are calculated based on the first four finishers in each race. LONGINES and the IFHA use this list to determine the winner of the annual LONGINES World's Best Horse Race Award.
For the third time in four years, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has been honoured as the highest rated race. In 2018, it achieved a rating of 125.00 as the result of Enable, Sea Of Class, Cloth Of Stars, and Waldgeist battling to the wire in the first Arc held at the new ParisLongchamp.
The remaining top 10 rated races are the LONGINES Queen Elizabeth Stakes (123.75), Prince of Wales's Stakes (123.25), Juddmonte International Stakes (123.00), LONGINES Dubai Sheema Classic (123.00), Breeders' Cup Classic (122.75), Japan Cup in association with LONGINES (122.50), Ladbrokes Cox Plate (122.50), The Agency George Ryder Stakes (122.25), Colgate Optic White Stakes (122.25), and Prix Ganay - Prix de l'Inauguration de ParisLongchamp (122.25).
The top rated races in the 5 respective distance categories are the Darley T.J. Smith Stakes (121.00-Sprint); jointly The Agency George Ryder Stakes (122.25-Mile) and Colgate Optic White Stakes (122.25-Mile); LONGINES Queen Elizabeth Stakes (123.75-Intermediate); Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (125.00-Long); and jointly the Gold Cup (118.00-Extended) and Tenno Sho (Spring) (118.00-Extended).
The highest rated race for fillies and mares is the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (118.75), while the top 3-year-old race in the world is the Investec Derby (121.75).
Eleven countries comprise this year's list, representing the foremost racing events throughout the world across 36 different racecourses. Australia leads all countries with 31 total races, followed by Great Britain (19), United States (14), Hong Kong (11), Japan (10), France (6), Germany (3), South Africa (3), United Arab Emirates (3), Ireland (2) and New Zealand (1). Because of a seven-way tie for the 97th spot on the list of Top 100 G1 races, the 2018 edition consists of 103 races.
In the context of their partnership, LONGINES and the IFHA have created a set of prizes rewarding racehorses, jockeys and prominent women and men of the equestrian world. The LONGINES World's Best Horse Race was created to complete this collection of awards by rewarding the top race in the world. The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe won in 2017 and was the inaugural winner in 2015, while the Breeders’ Cup Classic won in 2016.
The top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 races also serve as the base of an annual competition to recognize top jockeys throughout the world. The jockey who outperforms his or her peers in these races is honoured with the LONGINES World's Best Jockey Award. Frankie Dettori was the 2018 Longines World’s Best Jockey, and he previously was honoured in 2015. Hugh Bowman won the title in 2017, while Ryan Moore took the inaugural contest in 2014 as well as the 2016 edition.
The 2019 LONGINES World's Best Jockey Award will be based upon performances in these 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races from 1 December 2018 until 30 November 2019. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third.
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About Longines
Longines has been based in Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federations.
For further information please contact:
Longines International Public Relations
2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
publicrelations@longines.com
www.longines.com
About IFHA
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) is the world peak body for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing. Its members are the national racing authorities across the globe which stage Thoroughbred races.
Major areas of the IFHA's activities include:
- Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (the IABRW)
- Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
- International Race Planning and Grading (“black type”)
- World Rankings
- Equine Prohibited Substances and Practices
- Harmonization of Race Day Rules
- Certification of IFHA Reference Labs
- Fostering commercial development of the racing industry globally
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