Press
release
Arrogate
crowned the Longines World’s Best Racehorse for the second year in a row, Qatar
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe named Longines World’s Best Horse Race for the second
time
London
(UK) / Saint-Imier (Switzerland), 23 January 2018 – The Swiss watchmaking brand
Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)
were proud to distinguish the 2017 top racehorses and horse race during a
ceremony held at the iconic Claridge’s Hotel in London. On this occasion, the American
colt Arrogate was awarded – for the second year in a row – the Longines World’s
Best Racehorse title with a rating of 134. The Australian mare Winx took second
place with 132, followed by Cracksman (GB) and Gun Runner (USA), who were tied
at 130. The 2017 Longines World’s Best Horse Race went to the Qatar Prix de
l’Arc de Triomphe, which was also the inaugural winner in 2015, with a 126.25 rating.
Longines and its
long-time partner the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities
(IFHA) celebrated their common passion for horseracing with the very
much-awaited Longines World’s Best Racehorse and Longines World’s Best Horse
Race Awards Ceremony.
American Thoroughbred and
2016 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Arrogate set himself apart again in 2017 with
a rating of 134 and was given the prestigious Longines World’s Best Racehorse Award
for the second consecutive year. Incidentally, the watch brand Longines proudly
timed his victory in the Dubai World Cup. Arrogate’s owner Juddmonte Farms Inc.,
represented by Lord Teddy Grimthorpe, and trainer Bob Baffert were presented
with a unique Longines watch and an iconic Longines Equus Crystal Vase.
Australian mare
Winx, who occupied third place in 2016, was honoured as the second
highest-rated horse with a rating of 132 in 2017. Currently the richest horse
in Australian history and the highest rated turf horse in the world, she won
all nine of her starts in 2017. Winx’s regular jockey, Hugh Bowman, claimed the
2017 Longines World’s Best Jockey title, a recognition he received last
December during the Longines Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner.
Third place was
taken by both Cracksman (GB) and Gun Runner (USA) with a rating of 130. Cracksman
earned his rating in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, timed by Longines. His primary
jockey, Frankie Dettori, received the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award in
2015. Gun Runner’s victories in 2017 include the Breeders’ Cup Classic, a feat
timed by the Swiss watch brand, the Official Timekeeper of the Breeders’ Cup
World Championships.
Additionally, the
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe claimed the title of 2017 Longines World’s Best
Horse Race. France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild was in London to
accept the award and was presented with an elegant Longines timepiece and a
replica trophy representing a proud horse head. The first four finishers of the
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2017 were Enable, Cloth of Stars, Ulysses
and Order of St George. The Arc was also the inaugural winner of the Longines
World’s Best Horse Race Award in 2015.
The Longines World’s Best
Racehorse Rankings are determined by international handicappers according to
the performance of horses around the world, while the Longines World’s Best
Horse Race Award recognizes the highest rated race of all the Group 1
international races, with the ratings of the top four finishers in each race
serving as basis for the assessment.
About Longines
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in
Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to
tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as
official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international
sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a
member of Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological
products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in
over 150 countries.
For further
information please contact:
Longines
International Public Relations
2610
Saint-Imier, Switzerland
About IFHA
The International Federation of Horseracing
Authorities (IFHA) is the world peak body for the international sport of
Thoroughbred racing. Its members are the national racing authorities across the
globe which stage Thoroughbred races.
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
• Equine
Prohibited Substances and Practices
• Harmonization
of Race Day Rules
• 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 (OIE).
For further
details, please contact:
Andrew
Chesser
Secretary
General, International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)
Telephone +1
859 224 2741
Email achesser@jockeyclub.com