California Chrome Still on Top in World's Best Rankings

The seventh edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2016 features several major changes at the top, led by California Chrome (USA) [133], who improved his rating from 128 to 133 with his dominating performance in the $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) to once again be the highest rated horse in the world.

 

LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings

 

Leading Horses:

(click here for complete rankings)

Rank, Horse, Rating, Trained

1.) CALIFORNIA CHROME (USA), 133, USA

2.) A SHIN HIKARI (JPN), 129, JPN

2.) ARROGATE (USA), 129, USA

4.) ALMANZOR (FR), 127, FR

4.) WINX (AUS), 127, AUS

6.) FROSTED (USA), 126, USA

7.) MAURICE (JPN), 124, JPN

7.) NYQUIST (USA), 124, USA

7.) POSTPONED (IRE), 124, GB

7.) WERTHER (NZ), 124, HK

Although he was facing the likes of champion Beholder and multiple Grade 1 winner Dortmund (USA) [122], California Chrome made easy work of his competition in the Pacific Classic. The 5-year- old chestnut led gate to wire to win by five lengths and is a perfect five-for- five in 2016. His other victories this year include the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), San Diego Handicap (G2), San Pasqual Stakes (G2) and Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy.

A new major player to the rankings is Arrogate (USA) [129], who is now the co-second highest rated horse in the world alongside A Shin Hikari (JPN) [129]. In his first start in graded stakes company, the 3-year- old colt made history when he won the Travers Stakes (G1) by 13 ½ lengths and broke a track record that had stood for 37 years. Plans call for Arrogate to train up to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), where he would face California Chrome.

Another notable newcomer is Almanzor (FR) [127], the Prix du Jockey Club (G1) hero who defeated a strong field in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1). The French raider bested Found (IRE) [122] by three-quarters of a length, while Minding (IRE) [120] was third in the highlight of LONGINES Irish Champions weekend.

Elsewhere, star mare Winx (AUS) [127] continued her winning ways, taking the Warwick Stakes (G2) in her spring debut. She was then scratched from the Chelmsford Stakes (G2) due to the track conditions but is set to run in Saturday’s Colgate Optic White Stakes (G1). In England, Postponed (IRE) [124] added to his winning streak by taking the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) over HIGHLAND REEL (IRE) [121] and Mutakayyef (GB) [120], while in America Songbird (USA) [122] remained undefeated whilst winning the Alabama Stakes (G1).

Veteran Flintshire (GB) [123] is ranked for the fourth consecutive year after his 1 ¾-length victory in the LONGINES Sword Dancer Stakes (G1), which he also won in 2015. Meanwhile, Mecca's Angel (IRE) [121] is ranked after she defeated Limato (IRE) [120] to repeat in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (G1).

In France, Japanese Derby (G1) winner Makahiki (JPN) [121] won the Qatar Prix Niel (G2) in preparation for his anticipated start in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) in Chantilly. Also during the Arc Trials, Vadamos (FR) [121] won the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1). In his prior race, Vadamos finished second to Ribchester (IRE) [121] in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le- Buffard Jaques Le Marois (G1).