The Top Ranked Horses in the World

WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS

The official listing of the top horses in the world
(covering the period 1st April to 3rd October 2010)

Former world number one WORKFORCE (GB) [128] confirmed his standing as a world-class performer with victory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp on Sunday.

World Thoroughbred Rankings

Top 10 horses

Rank

Horse

Rating

Trained

1

HARBINGER (GB)

135

GB

2

MAKFI (GB)

128

FR

2

QUALITY ROAD (USA)

128

USA

2

WORKFORCE (GB)

128

GB

5

CANFORD CLIFFS (IRE)

127

GB

5

CAPE BLANCO (IRE)

127

IRE

5

NAKAYAMA FESTA (JPN)

127

JPN

8

RIP VAN WINKLE (IRE)

126

IRE

9

TWICE OVER (GB)

125

GB

9

ZENYATTA (USA)

125

USA

 

Workforce jumped to the top of the World Rankings with his spectacular record-breaking seven length triumph in the Investec Derby (G1) at Epsom in June, but failed to build on that when only fifth in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) (G1) at Ascot in July, behind current world leader HARBINGER (GB) [135]. However Workforce showed his true worth at Longchamp with a determined head victory over NAKAYAMA FESTA (JPN) [127], who fought on bravely to put up the best performance by a Japanese-trained horse since the much-vaunted DEEP IMPACT (JPN) [127] in 2006.

SARAFINA (FR) [121] overcame interference turning into the straight to finish a fine third, in the process registering the best performance by a three-year-old filly in 2010. However, Sarafina was joined on that mark just an hour and a half later by LILY OF THE VALLEY (FR) [121], who recorded her seventh consecutive victory with a tremendously tough display to beat STACELITA (FR) [120] in the NYSE Euronext Prix de l’Opéra (G1).

GOLDIKOVA (IRE) [124], the highest-rated filly or mare in the world in 2009, reinforced her position at the top of the female Turf pecking order for 2010 when taking the Qatar Prix de la Forêt (G1) from PACO BOY (IRE) [124], in the process bringing her tally of Group One victories to eleven.

However the mighty ZENYATTA (USA) [125] continues to be the top filly or mare on any surface in 2010. Zenyatta did not need to reproduce her best form to record her thirteenth G1 victory, and extend her unbeaten run to 19 wins from 19 starts, when coming from last to first in trademark style to capture her third consecutive Lady’s Secret Stakes (G1), this year run at Hollywood Park.

In Hong Kong, SACRED KINGDOM (AUS) [122], who has been either top or joint top rated sprinter in the world every year since 2007, showed that he had fully recovered from a life-threatening colic attack in March when defying top weight of 133lb in the Sha Tin Sprint Trophy (HK G3). However a new pretender to the sprint crown has emerged in Australia in the shape of HAY LIST (AUS) [119], who recorded top-class performances in taking both the Sportingbet Manikato Stakes (G1) and the Gilgai Stakes (G2) in convincing fashion.

POET’S VOICE (GB) [122] signaled his arrival as a top-class miler with his success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by Sony) (G1) at Ascot. Among the stayers, ARCTIC COSMOS (USA) [120] put up a career best effort to take the Ladbrokes St Leger (G1) at Doncaster, while SANS FRONTIERES (IRE) [120] completed a hat-trick with his success in the Irish Field St Leger (G1) at the Curragh.

In North America, HAYNESFIELD (USA) [121] continued his rise up the ranks of the top Dirt horses when improving on his victory in the Suburban Handicap (G2) with his best effort yet when a decisive four length winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), also at Belmont Park.

SO YOU THINK (NZ) [122] confirmed himself the top horse in Australia with a dominant victory in the Rokk Ebony Underwood Stakes (G1), while WHOBEGOTYOU (AUS) [120], who chased him home in the NZ Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (G2), gained compensation in the Dato Tam Chin Nam Feehan Stakes (G2).

 

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The World Thoroughbred Rankings are compiled by the World Rankings Supervisory Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).  

For further details on the World Thoroughbred Rankings, 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 +353 5997 26596
Email gaogorman@eircom.net

 

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 World Thoroughbred Rankings are available on the IFHA web site http://www.ifhaonline.org/

The next edition of the World Thoroughbred Rankings will be released on 11th November 2010.