The Top Ranked Horses in the World

THE WORLD'S LEADING HORSES
(from 29th October 2005 to 7th May 2006)

The second publication this year of the World's Leading Horses covers the racing period from Breeders Cup Day (29th October 2005) to the Kentucky Derby (USA), Stan James 2000 Guineas (UK) and Champions Mile (HK) 6th/7th May 2006.

SHIROCCO (GER) (125) takes over at the head of the rankings from Hurricane Run (who did not race in the period under review) by virtue of his win in the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (2400m). It was encouraging to see him make a successful reappearance at Newmarket last weekend with an imperious victory in the G2 Jockey Club Stakes.

ELECTROCUTIONIST (USA) (124) who won the Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup in March moves up a place to second. Three impressive recent winners have joined DAVID JUNIOR (USA) and HEART'S CRY (JPN) on a rating of 123 in third spot.

Firstly, Japan's 2005 Horse of the Year, DEEP IMPACT (JPN) who won the JPN G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) over 3200m in facile fashion. Following the first major Classic races in the Northern Hemisphere both winners have entered the WLH for the first time. BARBARO (USA) (123) was gaining his fourth Graded victory of the year and his second in Grade One company when becoming one of the most impressive Kentucky Derby winners in recent times. A few hours earlier, GEORGE WASHINGTON (IRE) gained his third Group One victory with an impressive win in the Stan James 20000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Other newcomers to the World's Leading Horses are CORRE CAMINOS (FR) (120) who won the G1 Prix Ganay (2100m) impressively and EREMEIN (AUS) (119) the leading Australian entry. The winner of five G1 races to date, Eremein (AUS) has looked dominant from 2000m to 2400m with recent wins in the Ranvet, BMW and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The G1 Audemars Piguet QE II Cup runner-up in Hong Kong, BEST GIFT (NZ) (formerly Carlisle Bay) appears with a rating of 118 having earlier finished third to OUIJA BOARD (GB) in the G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase

Others to top their categories are, SILVER TRAIN (USA) (119) leading Sprinter (Dirt) and TAKEOVER TARGET (AUS) (118) the leading Sprinter (Turf). The highest ranked filly or mare on Dirt is Breeders' Cup Distaff winner PLEASANT HOME (USA) (118) while OUIJA BOARD (GB) (117) and PRIDE (FR) (117) share the leading filly or mare on the Turf.

The next listing will be published early in July.