AMERICAN "CURLIN"
TOPS WORLD'S LEADING HORSES

Paris, 2 April 2008

CURLIN (USA) [130] has assumed the mantle of top racehorse in the world in the latest listing of the World's Leading Horses (1 October 2007 - 31 March 2008 inclusive) as ranked by the panel of official handicappers drawn from the major racing nations affiliated to the IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities). His recent imperious romp in the Emirates Dubai World Cup (G1), following on from his success in the Breeders' Cup Classic (Powered by Dodge) (G1) has earned him a rating of 130, a dirt performance level not achieved since Ghostzapper (USA) [130] back in 2004 and marking him out as the best winner of the Dubai World Cup since Dubai Millennium (GB) [134] in 2000.

WORLD'S LEADING HORSES
The top 18 from 1st October 2007 to 31st March 2008
Rank
Horse
Rating
Trained
1
 CURLIN (USA)
130
USA
2
 DYLAN THOMAS (IRE)
125
IRE
2
 ENGLISH CHANNEL (USA)
125
USA
4
 YOUMZAIN (IRE)
124
GB
5
 ADMIRE MOON (JPN)
123
JPN
5
 LITERATO (FR)
123
FR
5
 SACRED KINGDOM (AUS)
123
HK
8
 EAGLE MOUNTAIN (GB)
122
IRE
8
 EL SEGUNDO (AUS)
122
AUS
8
 GETAWAY (GER)
122
FR
8
 HARD SPUN (USA)
122
USA
8
 KIP DEVILLE (USA)
122
USA
8
 MEISHO SAMSON (JPN)
122
JPN
8
 POP ROCK (JPN)
122
JPN
8
 RAMONTI (FR)
122
UAE
8
 SAGARA (USA)
122
FR
8
 VIVA PATACA (GB)
122
HK
8
 WEEKEND HUSSLER (AUS)
122
AUS

The full list and further information on the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings and World's Leading Horses are available on the IFHA web site www.IFHAonline.org

There are a large number of new entries in the list arising out of the Dubai World Cup Meeting. The impressive trio of HONOUR DEVIL (ARG) [120] Al Naboodah UAE Derby (G2), JAY PEG (SAF) [120] Dubai Duty Free (G1) and the crack filly SUN CLASSIQUE (AUS) [120] Nakheel Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) made it a night to remember for South African racing while domestically the dual J and B Met (G1) winner POCKET POWER (SAF) [118] was also deemed worthy of inclusion in the Top 5O horses in the World.


Apart from Curlin, the other notable performance from a North American perspective on Dubai World Cup night was the impressive win for dirt sprinter BENNY THE BULL (USA) [119] Gulf News Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1). Away from Dubai, Japanese horse MATSURIDA GOGH (JPN) [121] has emerged as a middle distance horse of substance and recently proved that his Arima Kinen (G1) performance was no fluke when easily winning the Nikkei Sho (G2). Hong Kong trained SACRED KINGDOM (AUS) [123] has confirmed his status as best sprinter in the world following his impressive win in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (G1) but is now facing competition for that accolade from the five time Group 1 winning Australian horse WEEKEND HUSSLER (AUS) [122], whose best performance was put up recently in the Newmarket Handicap (G1).


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The World's Leading Horses are compiled by the World Rankings Supervisory Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The next World's Leading Horses listing will be released on 8 May 2008.

For further details on the World's Leading Horses, please contact:

Nigel Gray, co-chairman World Rankings Supervisory Committee
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 Rankings Supervisory Committee
Senior Flat Handicapper, Irish Turf Club
Telephone +00 353 86 8564218
Email gaogorman@eircom.net

Tom Robbins, chairman North American Ratings Committee
Vice President (Racing), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Telephone +1 858 792 4230
Email tomr@dmtc.com

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