American Pharoah Increases Rating in World's Best Racehorse Rankings

With his dominate 6 ½ length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), AMERICAN PHAROAH (USA) [133] increased his rating from 131 to 133 in his career finale. In doing so, he remains on top of the ninth edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse. 

Should American Pharoah’s rating hold as the highest of 2015, he will be the first United States-based horse to top the rankings since Curlin, who was rated at 130 in 2008. The only American horse to be rated higher than American Pharoah since 1995 is Cigar, who finished 1996 at 135.

GOLDEN HORN (GB) [130] also ran for the final time during the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, finishing a close second to the filly Found in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). His rating remains unchanged, making him the second-highest rated horse in the world.

TREVE (FR) [126], who finished fourth behind Golden Horn in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), remains in the third spot. The 5-year-old mare, who was the co-highest rated horse of 2013, has since been retired to broodmare duties. 

Still tied in fourth position are the geldings ABLE FRIEND (AUS) [125] and SHARED BELIEF (USA) [125]. Making his first start since June, Able Friend won the Premier Bowl (HK G2) at the end of October. Shared Belief, who was injured earlier in the year, recently returned to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer’s barn.

Although the top horses have not changed, a number of runners have improved or joined the rankings based off of recent performances.

In England, FASCNATING ROCK (IRE) [123] and MUHAARAR (GB) [123] improved their ratings on British Champions Day by taking the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) and QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (G1), respectively.

In Australia, CHAUTAUQUA (AUS) [123] took the William Hill Manikato Stakes (G1) by two lengths, the filly WINX (AUS) [122] powered home in the William Hill Cox Plate (G1), and MONGOLIAN KHAN (AUS) [120] was victorious in the BMW Caulfield Cup (G1) to join the list.

Meanwhile, two victors during Breeders’ Cup weekend find themselves ranked after their dominating performances. LIAM’S MAP (USA) [121] won the Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), while TEPIN (USA) [120] defeated males in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

Rounding out the newcomers is ITO (GER) [120], winner of the Pastorius-Grosser Preis von Bayern (G1).

The final year-end rankings for 2015 will be revealed during the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Ceremony this coming January.

Source: International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)