BLACK CAVIAR (AUS) [130] and TREVE (FR) [130] topped the year-end 2013 LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings, which were published today by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).
The remarkable Australian mare and dazzling French filly were honoured as the joint top rated horses at the first LONGINES WORLD'S BEST RACEHORSE CEREMONY held during the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 6 December 2013.
An outstanding 8-length victory in the G1 Arima Kinen (Grand Prix) on 22 December 2013 by ORFEVRE (JPN) vaulted the top Japanese runner to a rating of 129, tying him with WISE DAN (USA) [129] as the co-third rated horses in the world for 2013. ORFEVRE (JPN) [129] will be honoured by the IFHA and LONGINES for his 2013 rating at a date to be determined.
"2013 was truly an exceptional and exciting year in global horse racing, where a number of brilliant performances were achieved on the racetrack and key partnerships and initiatives were undertaken by horse racing bodies," said Louis ROMANET, chairman of the IFHA. "One of the more important developments was the partnership between LONGINES and the IFHA, which saw the presentation of the first LONGINES AND IFHA INTERNATIONAL AWARD OF MERIT (presented to Jim BOLGER) and the inaugural LONGINES WORLD'S BEST RACEHORSE CEREMONY held in Hong Kong."
LONGINES is the official partner and official watch of the IFHA and the sponsor of the LONGINES WORLD'S BEST RACEHORSE RANKINGS.
"There has never been a time when our sport's best performers have been so recognized at an international level," ROMANET said. "The accomplishments in 2013 by racehorses such as BLACK CAVIAR, TREVE, ORFEVRE, and WISE DAN are appreciated not only in their home countries but throughout the world."
"2013 will long be remembered for two very special undefeated racehorses in BLACK CAVIAR and TREVE," said Nigel GRAY, co-chairman of the World Rankings Supervisory Committee. "The 2013 LONGINES WORLD'S BEST RACEHORSE RANKINGS also marks the first time in official rankings history that the top two racehorses in the world are female."
"The global nature of our sport is mirrored directly in the LONGINES WORLD'S BEST RACEHORSE RANKINGS," said Garry O'Gorman, co-chairman of the World Rankings Supervisory Committee. "For 2013, no less than 20 countries are represented and the top 10 racehorses in the world are equally diverse, being comprised of four horses trained in Europe, three horses trained in North America, two horses trained in Asia and one horse trained in Australia."
Also of note, the 2013 LONGINES WORLD'S BEST RACEHORSE RANKINGS marks the second year in which South American horses are included in the rankings, eight in total. The South American countries have also established a new Pattern Race Committee, which is examining the grading and ranking of all Group races in eight South American countries.
The LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the World Rankings Supervisory Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).
For further details on the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the LONGINES WORLD'S BEST RACEHORSE CEREMONY, and the LONGINES AND IFHA INTERNATIONAL AWARD OF MERIT, please contact:
Andrew Chesser, Deputy Secretary General, IFHA
Manager, Registration Services, The Jockey Club (USA)
Telephone +1 859 224 2741
Email achesser@jockeyclub.com
Garry O'Gorman
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
Ciaran Kennelly, international racing consultant, IFHA
Telephone +353 1 2804843
Email ciaran.kennelly@gmail.com
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The full list and further information on the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA web site http://www.ifhaonline.org/
The first edition of the 2014 LONGINES World's Best Racehorse will be published on Thursday 13 March 2014.