The Top Ranked Horses in the World

CURLIN (USA) [130] has been adjudged the best racehorse in the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings 2007-8 which are confined to horses who either raced in or were trained in countries whose racing season ran from 1st Aug 2007 to 31st July 2008. His commanding performance in winning the Emirates Dubai World Cup (G1) left him well clear in the standings as both top overall horse in the world as well as top horse on dirt as rated by official handicappers/racing secretaries affiliated to the IFHA (International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities).

South African mare SUN CLASSIQUE (AUS) [120] is ranked top filly/mare for her outstanding performance in defeating the colts in the Nakheel Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in addition to winning 3 Group 1 races in her native country.

No less than 11 countries in total find representation in WTRR 2007-8.

SPRINTERS (‘S’ Category)

SACRED KINGDOM (AUS) [123] is ranked top sprinter for his impressive win in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (G1) and just ahead of two prolific Group 1 winners from Australia in WEEKEND HUSSLER (AUS) [122] (who won no less than 6 Group 1 races) and APACHE CAT (AUS) [121] (5 Group 1 victories) in addition to crack South African sprinter JJ THE JET PLANE (SAF) [120] (3 Group 1 wins). MISS ANDRETTI (AUS) [118] was top filly/mare in this category while BENNY THE BULL (USA) [119] was top dirt sprinter for his performance in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) (sponsored by Gulf News).

MILERS (‘M’ Category)

The aforementioned WEEKEND HUSSLER (AUS) [122] is joint top rated in this category along with outstanding Hong Kong miler GOOD BA BA (USA) [122] just ahead of APACHE CAT (AUS) [121] while HONOUR DEVIL (ARG) [120] was ranked top dirt miler and second overall in the dirt category to overall champion CURLIN (USA) [130]. South African JAY PEG (SAF) [120] gained inclusion for his performance in the Dubai Duty Free (G1).

INTERMEDIATE (‘I’ Category)

El SEGUNDO (NZ) [123] was adjudged to have put up the joint best performance in this category on turf in winning the Tattersalls Cox Plate (G1) along with the prolific Group 1 winner RAMONTI (FR) [123] who defeated VIVA PATACA (GB) [122] in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (G1). POCKET POWER (SAF) [121] confirmed his position as best horse in South Africa in winning the Vodacom Durban July (G1).

LONG (‘L’ Category)

The aforementioned SUN CLASSIQUE (AUS) [120] comes out joint top in this category along with the colt she defeated in the Nakheel Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) namely VIVA PATACA (GB) [120] (who was rated higher in the Intermediate category) with DOCTOR DINO (FR) [119] and QUIJANO (GER) [120] further behind. The top three year olds in this category were both trained in New Zealand : C’EST LA GUERRE (NZ) [115] and NOM DU JEU (NZ) [115].

EXTENDED (‘E’ Category)

Australian stayer EFFICIENT (NZ) [120] put up an outstanding performance in winning the Emirates Melbourne Cup (G1) and is well clear in this category.

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The 2007-8 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings Conference and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The full list and further information on the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, including the top-rated horses in each distance category and ratings for Group 1 winners, are available on the IFHA web site www.IFHAonline.org

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For further details on the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings, please contact:
Nigel Gray, co-chairman World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings Conference
Head of Handicapping and Race Planning, Hong Kong Jockey Club
Telephone +852 2966 8337
Email nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk
Garry O'Gorman, co-chairman World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings Conference
Senior Flat Handicapper, Irish Turf Club
Telephone +353 5997 26596
Email gaogorman@eircom.net