American Pharoah Reclaims Top Spot in World's Best Racehorse Rankings
Following his devastatingly easy victory in the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), AMERICAN PHAROAH (USA) [131] has reclaimed the top spot in the sixth edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2015.
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Leading Horses | |||
Rank | Horse | Rating | Trained |
1 | AMERICAN PHAROAH (USA) | 131 | USA |
2 | GOLDEN HORN (GB) | 130 | GB |
3 | ABLE FRIEND (AUS) | 125 | HK |
3 | SHARED BELIEF (USA) | 125 | USA |
5 | SOLOW (GB) | 124 | FR |
5 | TREVE (FR) | 124 | FR |
American Pharoah, who is best known for becoming the first American Triple Crown winner in 37 years, has won all six of his races this season, five of them in Grade 1 company. The Haskell was American Pharoah’s first start since his historic achievement, and he was never truly asked to run, winning under wraps by 2 ¼ lengths.
Just behind him in the rankings is GOLDEN HORN (GB) [130], who bested his elders in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) earlier this season. The 3-year-old colt, who also won the Investec Epsom Derby (G1) and Betfred Dante Stakes (G2), is undefeated in five career starts.
Golden Horn was declared out of July’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) due to ground conditions but is set to run in next week’s Juddmonte International (G1). The highest rated race in the world, the Juddmonte International could potentially also feature THE GREY GATSBY (IRE) [123], dual-Guineas winner GLENEAGLES (IRE) [122], and Australia’s CRITERION (NZ) [120], among others.
Clearly two special 3-year-olds, American Pharoah and Golden Horn have distanced themselves from the others so far this year. ABLE FRIEND (AUS) [125] and SHARED BELIEF (USA) [125] remain tied in third, while SOLOW (GB) [124] and TREVE (FR) [124] remain tied in fifth. At the end of July, Solow added the Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) at Glorious Goodwood to the list of his accomplishments.
Moving up the rankings this month is HONOR CODE (USA) [123], who won the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga in dramatic fashion. In June, he notched his first top class victory in the NYRA.com Metropolitan Handicap (G1).
CAPTAIN OF ALL (SAF) [121], who romped home in the Mercury Sprint (G1) at Greyville, is a newcomer to the rankings this month. His 4 ½-length victory came in the final start of his career, as he has since been retired to stud.
Also newly ranked is POSTPONED (IRE) [121], who won the King George in Golden Horn’s absence.
Source: International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)