Friday 6th December 2013
For further details, please contact:
Andrew CHESSER
Deputy Secretary General
International Federation of Horseracing Authorities
Telephone +1 859 224 2741
Email achesser@jockeyclub.com
Bill NADER
Executive Director, Racing
Hong Kong Jockey Club
Telephone + 852 2966 5901
Email: william.a.nader@hkjc.org.hk
BLACK CAVIAR, TREVE, AND WISE DAN HONOURED AT FIRST ANNUAL LONGINES WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSE CEREMONY
BLACK CAVIAR (AUS) and TREVE (FR) were honoured as the highest-rated horses in the world during the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Ceremony at the gala dinner of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, held 6th December 2013 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. WISE DAN (USA) was also honoured as the third highest-rated horse in the world.
Both BLACK CAVIAR (AUS) and TREVE (FR) achieved a rating of 130 for 2013. WISE DAN (USA) earned a rating of 129.
The LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are horse racing’s equivalent to world rankings by other major sporting organizations and are based on the ratings earned by horses running worldwide from North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The ratings are compiled under the auspices of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) by racing officials and handicappers representing the five continents.
This marked the first year that the three highest rated horses on the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings and their owners were honoured at the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Ceremony.
IFHA Chairman Louis ROMANET and Vice-President and Head of International Marketing of LONGINES, Juan-Carlos CAPELLI, presented the awards to the connections of the three horses.
The full list and further information on the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website at ifhaonline.org.
The year-end edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings will be published on 16th January 2014.
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BLACK CAVIAR
The highest-rated sprinter in the world in 2010, 2011 and 2012, Black Caviar returned to the races in 2013 with a victory in the appropriately named Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes in February at Flemington Racecourse. The great mare followed up that success with a 4-length triumph in the Group 1 Hacer Group William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse. She capped her incredible career with a win in the Group 1 Darley T. J. Smith Stakes at Randwick Racecourse. Black Caviar retired undefeated with 25 victories from 25 starts and 15 wins at the Group 1 level. A 7-year-old mare bred in Australia by Mr. R Jamieson, Black Caviar is owned by Mr. G J Wilkie, Mrs. K J Wilkie, Werrett Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mr. C H Madden, Mrs. J Madden, Mrs. P A Hawkes, Mr. D M Taylor, and Mrs. J Taylor, she was trained by Mr. Peter Moody and ridden to victory in 2013 by Luke Nolen.
TREVE
The 3-year-old French filly Treve embarked on an undefeated campaign in 2013, displaying sheer brilliance in each of her four starts. After success in the Prix Perruche Bleu in May at Saint Cloud Racecourse, Treve won her first Group 1 race in the Prix de Diane LONGINES at Chantilly by 4 lengths. She returned to the races with a triumph in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille, defeating a top class field of older fillies and mares at Longchamp Racecourse. A fitting conclusion to Treve’s 2013 was reached with a brilliant 5-length victory in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, also at Longchamp Racecourse. Treve’s scintillating win saw her beat 10 Group 1 winners and confirmed her as the best long distance racehorse in the world. Treve was bred in France by Haras Du Quesnay and was owned by her breeder in her first two races in 2013. She was subsequently purchased by His Excellency Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani and carried his silks to wins in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille and the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arcrc de Triomphe. Treve is trained by Criquette Head-Maarek and was ridden to wins in 2013 by both Thierry Jarnet and Frankie Dettori.
WISE DAN
As the reigning American Horse of the Year, Wise Dan won six races from seven starts, winning all six of his races on turf. He began his season with wins in the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile Stakes, Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, and the Grade 2 Firecracker Handicap, a race he won in 2011. Wise Dan also repeated his 2012 win in the Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap and dominated the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes, winning by 3 ½ lengths. He suffered his lone defeat in 2013 when finishing second in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes, a race run on Keeneland Racecourse’s all-weather surface after a torrential rainstorm left the turf course unsuitable for racing. Wise Dan rebounded from that loss to defend his title in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, defeating a world class field. A 6-year-old gelding bred in the United States, Wise Dan is bred and owned by Mr. Morton Fink and trained by Charles LoPresti. He was ridden to victory in 2013 by both John Velazquez and Jose Lezcano.
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About IFHA
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities is a federation comprising racing authorities from approximately 60 member countries throughout the world. Every year, the federation organizes the International Conference, which updates the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering endorsed by the conference in 1974.
About LONGINES
LONGINES has been based at 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 federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, LONGINES is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries.
About The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organizations, but also Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 for public funds. The club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognized as one of Asia’s most prestigious. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organization, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
Notes to Editors: At the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Ceremony images of Black Caviar were provided by Bronwen Healy Photography. Images of Treve were provided by Eclipse Sportswire and France Galop. Images of Wise Dan were provided by Eclipse Sportswire.
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