A trio of talented runners from across the globe find themselves tied atop the first edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2016. Although none of them are based in the United Arab Emirates, all three are being pointed toward the lucrative Dubai World Cup card on March 26.

 

CALIFORNIA CHROME (USA) [121] kicked off his 2016 campaign at home with a victory in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita before heading to Dubai. He then easily won the Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy at Meydan while spotting his rivals 15 lbs., and his next start is scheduled to be the Dubai World Cup (G1). California Chrome finished second in last year’s edition of the world’s richest race but was sidelined for the rest of 2015 and did not race again until the San Pasqual.

Also returning from a lengthy layoff was DURAMENTE (JPN) [121], who won the Nakayama Kinen (G2) by a neck over Ambitious at the end of February. Named Japan’s champion 3-year-old of 2015, Duramente had not raced since last May when he won the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1). He then suffered fractures in both front legs and missed the rest of the year while recovering from surgery.

POSTPONED (IRE) [121], who ended his 2015 season with a victory in the Qatar Prix Foy (G2) at Longchamp, made his first start of 2016 a memorable one during Super Saturday of the Dubai World Cup Carnival. The 5-year-old was much the best when he took the Dubai City of Gold Sponsored by Skycargo (G2) by three lengths. Postponed and Duramente are now set to square off in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on Dubai World Cup night.

FROSTED (USA) [120] is another runner who has been drawing attention in the United Arab Emirates. The United States-based colt began his 2016 campaign in Dubai with an eye-catching five length victory in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Sponsored by EGA (G2) and is set to take on California Chrome in the Dubai World Cup.

A filly making headlines in the United States is SONGBIRD (USA) [120]. Last year’s undefeated champion 2-year-old filly, Songbird returned in 2016 in dominating fashion and has already added the Las Virgenes Stakes (G2) and Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) to her list of accomplishments. She is the current favourite for the LONGINES Kentucky Oaks (G1) in May.

 
*  *  *  *  *  *
 
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 14^th April 2016.