Calandagan,
Champion Stakes, and Japan Cup Honoured at the 2025
Longines World Racing Awards
#LonginesWorldRacingAwards
20 January 2026
Swiss watch brand Longines and the
International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) proudly hosted the
2025 Longines World Racing Awards ceremony in London on 20 January. Calandagan was named the 2025 Longines World’s Best
Racehorse, while the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1) and
Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1) shared the title of 2025 Longines
World’s Best Horse Race.
The
horse racing world came together in London on Tuesday to celebrate the 13th
time Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities
(IFHA) have honoured the top Thoroughbred racehorse of
the previous year. Additionally, the Longines World’s Best Horse Race was celebrated
for the 11th time.
“Equestrian sports have been part of the Longines story for
more than a century,” said Yannick Jenni, the Longines Vice President Sales
International. “It is a sport that reflects what our brand stands for: respect
for tradition, high performance, and timeless elegance. Our partnership with
the IFHA is built on these same principles. Together, we work to support horse
racing around the world and to highlight the achievements of its greatest
champions.
“Today is about recognition. We are here to celebrate
exceptional races and exceptional horses, and the many people behind them:
owners, trainers, jockeys, and teams, all those whose dedication makes this
sport so special.”
During the Longines World Racing Awards ceremony, which was held at The Savoy, Calandagan (IRE) was named the 2025 Longines
World’s Best Racehorse with a rating of 130. Calandagan earned his rating in the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot. A top-level winner in
three countries in 2025, his other major victories came in the Grand Prix de
Saint-Cloud (G1), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), and Japan Cup
in association with Longines (G1).
The winning connections were presented with elegant
Longines watches as well as a replica of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse
vase, named Equus, by representatives of Longines and IFHA. The Longines
World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are established by international handicappers
according to the performance of the horses in top races.
Additionally, the Qipco
Champion Stakes (G1) and Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1) were
both honoured as the Longines World’s Best Horse Race
with an equal rating of 126.25. This is the first time the Champion Stakes has
been celebrated, while the Japan Cup first won the title in 2023.
The Longines World’s Best Horse Race Award recognises
the best-rated race of the highest-rated Group/Grade 1 international races as
established by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings of the top
four finishers in each race serve as basis for the assessment. Calandagan, the world’s highest rated horse, won both
contests, and it is the first time there has been a tie in this category.
Representatives from Ascot, The Jockey Club (UK), QIPCO,
and the Japan Racing Association (JRA) were in London to accept the award. They
received an elegant Longines timepiece as well as a replica of the trophy,
representing a proud horse head.
"Calandagan’s international
travels this year added greatly to the spirit of sportsmanship,” said IFHA
Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “The IFHA and Longines are passionate about
honouring the best racing has to offer, and the
Longines World Racing Awards are a way to celebrate all of the hard work that
goes into delivering high quality racing and champion racehorses.”
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.
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About IFHA The IFHA is a federation of more than 60
racing authorities from different countries and regions in the world.
It 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 ·
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 ·
Harmonisation of racing rules ·
Certification of IFHA reference laboratories ·
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). |
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E-Mail : achesser@jockeyclub.com |