In association with the LONGINES World Racing Awards, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has published its annual list of top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 races.
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 first time, the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York Racecourse in England has been honoured as the highest rated race. In 2020, it achieved a rating of 125.25 after Group 1 winners Ghaiyyath (IRE), Magical (IRE), Lord North (IRE), and Kameko (USA) were the first four across the finish line.
The remaining top 10 rated races are the Irish Champion Stakes (124.75), Japan Cup in Association with LONGINES (124.50), LONGINES Breeders’ Cup Turf (123.75), Tenno Sho (Autumn) (123.75), Coral-Eclipse (123.50), Yasuda Kinen (123.25), Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard - Jacques Le Marois (123.25), Qipco Champion Stakes (123.00), and Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) (122.75).
The top rated races in the 5 respective distance categories are the Darley Sprint Classic (120.50-Sprint); Yasuda Kinen and Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard - Jacques Le Marois (123.25-Mile); Juddmonte International Stakes (125.25-Intermediate); Japan Cup in Association with LONGINES (124.50-Long); and Tenno Sho (Spring) (117.25-Extended).
The highest rated race for fillies is the LONGINES Kentucky Oaks (119.25), while the highest rated 3-year-old race is the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (121.25).
Eleven countries comprise this year's list, representing the foremost racing events throughout the world across 40 different racecourses. Australia leads all countries with 25 total races, followed by Great Britain (18), Japan (14), United States (13), France (9), Hong Kong (9), South Africa (6), Ireland (4), Germany (3), Argentina (1), and New Zealand (1). Because of a six-way tie for the 98th spot on the list of Top 100 G1 races, the 2020 edition consists of 103 races.
In relation to the awards that are determined from this list, the eight races that were in the Top 100 in 2019 but not held in 2020 due to uncontrollable circumstances will remain, bringing the total number to 111.
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 2019, 2018, 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 2020 Longines World’s Best Jockey, and he previously was honoured in 2019, 2018 and 2015. Hugh Bowman won the title in 2017, while Ryan Moore took the inaugural contest in 2014 as well as the 2016 edition.
The 2021 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 2020 until 30 November 2021. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third.
