Best in the world: Flightline passes Baaeed in latest rankings
It was a memorable month as both Flightline (139) and Baaeed (135) achieved historically notable ratings and put distance between themselves and all others in the seventh edition of the world’s best racehorse rankings for 2022.
Flightline put in an exquisite performance in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1), which he won by 19 1/4 lengths over Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Country Grammer (121). With his victory, Flightline, who also won the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) in June and is undefeated in five career starts, raised his rating to 139 from 127.
| Rank | Horse | Rating | Trained |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flightline | 139 | U.S. |
| 2 | Baaeed | 135 | Great Britain |
| 3 | Nature Strip | 126 | Australia |
| 4 | Epicenter | 125 | U.S. |
| 4 | Life Is Good | 125 | U.S. |
| 6 | Pyledriver | 124 | Great Britain |
| 6 | Titleholder | 124 | Japan |
| 8 | Desert Crown | 123 | Great Britain |
| 8 | Jack Christopher | 123 | U.S. |
| 8 | Real World | 123 | Great Britain |
| 8 | Speaker's Corner | 123 | U.S. |
| 8 | Vadeni | 123 | France |
| 13 | Golden Sixty | 122 | Hong Kong |
| 13 | Jackie's Warrior | 122 | U.S. |
| 13 | Luxembourg | 122 | Ireland |
| 13 | Mishriff | 122 | Great Britain |
| 13 | Native Trail | 122 | Great Britain |
| 13 | State of Rest | 122 | Ireland |
| 19 | Coroebus | 121 | Great Britain |
| 19 | Country Grammer | 121 | U.S. |
| 19 | Golden Pal | 121 | U.S. |
| 19 | Hot Rod Charlie | 121 | U.S. |
| 19 | Hukum | 121 | Great Britain |
| 19 | Inspiral | 121 | Great Britain |
| 19 | Lord North | 121 | Great Britain |
| 19 | Minzaal | 121 | Great Britain |
| 19 | Onesto | 121 | France |
| 19 | Zaaki | 121 | Australia |
Historically, this mark is the highest earned by a dirt horse and only one pound below Frankel’s benchmark rating of 140 under the current system. Previously, the highest rating given to a dirt horse was the 135 achieved by Cigar in 1996.
Meanwhile, Baaeed raised his rating to 135 from 128 following his victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), where he defeated Mishriff (122) by 6 1/2 lengths. He is now 10-for-10 in his career, and his other wins this year include the Sussex Stakes (G1), Queen Anne Stakes (G1), and Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1). Baaeed’s rating of 135 is the highest given on turf since Frankel received his 140 in 2012 and is one below the 136 his own sire, Sea the Stars, earned in 2009.
Additionally, there are several newcomers to this month’s rankings. Epicenter (125) received his rating after his winning effort in the Travers Stakes (G1), which he took by 5 1/4 lengths. Luxembourth (122) impressed when he won the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) over Onesto (121), Vadeni (123) and Mishriff. Lastly, Minzaal (121) is ranked off of his score by 3 3/4 lengths in the Sprint Cup Stakes (G1).
The world’s best racehorse rankings are compiled by the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.