2023 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Summary

 

After leading the rankings for most of the year, EQUINOX (JPN) [135] has been named the 2023 Longines World’s Best Racehorse. His rating of 135 is the highest mark a Japanese horse has ever received under the current system, besting the 134 that El Condor Pasa earned in 1999.

 

Equinox earned his rating in the Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1), which was his final career start. He won by four lengths over LIBERTY ISLAND (JPN) [121], while STARS ON EARTH (JPN) [119] was third, DO DEUCE (JPN) [124] finished fourth, and TITLEHOLDER (JPN) [124] was fifth.

 

Equinox made his 2023 debut in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in March. He won with ease, vaulted to the top of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, and held that position for the rest of the year. WESTOVER (GB) [126] was 3 ½ lengths behind in second, while ZAGREY (FR) [117] was third, MOSTAHDAF (IRE) [128] was fourth, and SHAHRYAR (JPN) [121] was fifth.

 

Following his effort in Dubai, Equinox returned to Japan where he won the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) in June by a neck over THROUGH SEVEN SEAS (JPN) [118]. After racing near the back of the 17-horse field, Equinox circled the pack to get the victory. In his next start, Equinox set a new track record of 1:55:2 for 2,000 meters at Tokyo Racecourse while winning the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) by 2 ½ lengths over JUSTIN PALACE (JPN) [121] in October. Following the Japan Cup, Equinox was retired to Shadai Stallion Station.

Two horses share the title of co-second highest rated horse for 2023. ACE IMPACT (IRE) [128] earned his rating in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), which he won by 1 ¾ lengths over Westover. Among his other victories during his undefeated season, Ace Impact won the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1) and Prix Guillaume d'Ornano (G2). He ended the year as the highest rated 3-year-old in the world.

 

Also rated at 128 is Mostahdaf, who received that mark after winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. He defeated LUXEMBOURG (IRE) [123] by four lengths that day, and his other victories in 2023 include the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) and Neom Turf Cup presented by Altanfeethi (G3).

 

BIG ROCK (FR) [127] and HUKUM (IRE) [127] share the co-fourth spot. Big Rock was unchallenged in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by Qipco) (G1), and he pulled away to win by six lengths. His other victories last year include the Prix la Force (G3) and Prix de Guiche (G3). Hukum earned his rating in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (G1) after he defeated Westover by a head. He began his 2023 campaign with a win in the Racehorse Lotto Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3).

 

Westover shares the co-sixth ranking with GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS) [126]. Golden Sixty received his rating after winning the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1), while Westover earned his in the King George. In addition to his notable second place efforts in 2023, Westover also defeated Zagrey to win the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1). Golden Sixty had a number of victories during the year, including the Stewards' Cup (G1), Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1), and FWD Champions Mile (G1).

 

AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE) [125] and LUCKY SWEYNESSE (NZ) [125] share the co-eighth spot on a rating of 125. Auguste Rodin earned his rating by winning the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), and he also took the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (G1), Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1), and Betfred Derby (G1) in 2023.

 

Lucky Sweynesse received a 125 three separate times. He earned that mark after winning the Chairman's Sprint Prize (G1) and Sha Tin Vase (G3) as well as after finishing second by a short head in the Premier Bowl (G2). His other top-level victories in 2023 include the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1), Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1), and Centenary Sprint Cup (G1).

 

Rounding out the Top 10 are five horses in the co-10th position on a rating of 124: CODY’S WISH (USA) [124], Do Deuce, PADDINGTON (GB) [124], Titleholder, and WHITE ABARRIO (USA) [124].

 

Overall, 288 horses, trained in 16 different countries, were rated 115 or higher. The full list and further information on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website ifhaonline.org.

 

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The LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

For further details on the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, please contact:

Nigel Gray, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee

Chief Advisor on World Racehorse Rankings, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Telephone +852 2966 8337

Email nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk

Dominic Gardiner-Hill, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee

Head of Handicapping, British Horseracing Authority

E-mail dgardinerhill@britishhorseracing.com

 

Tom Robbins, chairman, North American Ratings Committee

Executive Vice President, Racing & Industry Relations, Racing Secretary, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Telephone +1 858 792 4230

Email tomr@dmtc.com

 

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The full list and further information on the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website http://www.ifhaonline.org.

 

E-Mail: achesser@jockeyclub.com