Top 100 G1 Races of 2024 Announced
In association
with the Longines World Racing Awards, the International Federation of
Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has published its annual list of Top 100 Group 1
and Grade 1 races.
The ranked list is compiled using the annual race ratings, which are calculated
based on the first four finishers in each race. Longines and the IFHA use this
list to determine the winner of the annual Longines World's Best Horse Race
Award.
The 2024 Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) has been honoured
as the highest rated race in the world. This is the second time the race has
won the award, as it first took the title in 2020. In 2024, the Juddmonte
International achieved a rating of 124.25 as City of Troy (USA), Calandagan (IRE), Ghostwriter (IRE), and Bluestocking (GB) were
the first four across the finish line.
The remaining Top 10 rated races are the DraftKings Travers Stakes (123.75),
Queen Elizabeth Stakes (123.00), King
George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (122.75),
Japan Cup in association with Longines (122.50), Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic
(122.50), Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (122.50), Royal
Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (122.25), Winx Stakes (121.50), James Squire T.
J. Smith Stakes (121.25), and the Ladbrokes Cox Plate (121.25). Because of a
tie for the 10th position, there are 11 races in the 2024 Top 10.
The top rated
races in the five respective distance categories are the James Squire T. J.
Smith Stakes (121.25-Sprint); Winx Stakes (121.50-Mile); Juddmonte
International Stakes (124.25-Intermediate); King George VI & Queen
Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (122.75-Long); and the Gold
Cup (118.50-Extended).
The Qatar Prix Vermeille (117.50) is the highest
rated race for fillies/mares, while the highest rated 3-year-old race is the DraftKings
Travers Stakes (123.75).
Eleven countries comprise this year's list, representing the
foremost racing events throughout the world across 41 different racecourses. Australia
leads all countries with 30 total races, followed by Great Britain (20), Japan
(13), France (11), United States (11), Hong Kong SAR, China (8), Germany (4), Ireland
(4), United Arab Emirates (3), Saudi Arabia (1), and South Africa (1). Because
of a nine-way tie for the 98th spot on the list of Top 100 G1 races, the 2024
edition consists of 106 races.
In the context of their partnership, Longines and the IFHA
have created a set of prizes rewarding racehorses, jockeys and prominent women
and men of the equestrian world. The Longines World's Best Horse Race was
created to complete this collection of awards by rewarding the top race in the
world. The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe won the
title in 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, and it was the inaugural winner in 2015. The
Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic won in 2022 and 2016, while the Japan Cup in
association with Longines won in 2023.
The Top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 races also serve as the base of an annual
competition to recognize top jockeys throughout the world. The jockey who
outperforms his or her peers in these races is honoured
with the Longines World's Best Jockey Award, and James McDonald won the title
for the second time in 2024. He also won in 2022. Ryan Moore won the award in
2023, 2021, 2016, and was the inaugural winner in 2014. Frankie Dettori has
also won four times, with his victories coming in 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2015. Hugh
Bowman won the title in 2017.
The 2025 Longines World's Best Jockey Award will be based
upon performances in these 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races from 1
December 2024 until 30 November 2025. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6
points for placing second, and 4 points for placing third.
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About Longines
Based in Saint-Imier
in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaking company Longines wields expertise
steeped in tradition, elegance and performance. With generations of experience
as official timekeeper of world championships, and as partner of international
sports federations, Longines has built strong and long-lasting relationships in
the world of sport over the years. Known for the elegance of its timepieces,
Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd., the world’s leading watch
manufacturer. The Longines brand, with its winged hourglass emblem, is
established in over 150 countries.
Longines International Communications: publicrelations@longines.com
All press material is available on
mediacenter.longines.com.
About
IFHA
The IFHA is the global leader for the
international sport of Thoroughbred racing, seeking to promote all facets of
the worldwide sport; protect the welfare of the equine and human athlete; and
protect and grow its global social and economic significance for current and
future generations.
Major areas of the IFHA’s activities include:
•
Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and
Wagering (the IABRW)
•
Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
•
International Race Planning and Grading (“black type”)
•
World Rankings
• The
fight against Equine Prohibited Substances and Practices
•
Harmonization of Racing Rules
•
Certification of IFHA Reference Labs
•
Fostering commercial development of the racing industry globally
The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération
Equestre Internationale
(FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
E-Mail : achesser@jockeyclub.com