Sovereignty is tied for 8th in world's best racehorse rankings
Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty cracked the top 10 in the World's Best Racehorse Rankings on Thursday, debuting in a tie for eighth place.
The third edition of the rankings for 2025 features Hong Kong-based sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising, who received a 126 rating from members of the World's Best Racehorse rankings committee convened by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. The New Zealand-bred continues to elevate his rating and is now the co-second highest rated horse in the world.
Ka Ying Rising, who has now won 12 consecutive races, took the Chairman's Sprint Prize (G1) by 2 1/4 lengths in his most recent start. In doing so, he improved his rating to 126 from 124. Ka Ying Rising’s other victories in 2025 include the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1), Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1) and the Sprint Cup (G2).
Sovereignty vaulted onto the list by winning the Kentucky Derby on May 3 by 1 1/2 lengths over Journalism, earning a rating of 121 from the committee.
Another new face on the top 10 was Ruling Court, who claimed the 2000 Guineas Stakes (G1) for Godolphin by a half-length over Field of Gold. The son of Justify also earned a 121 rating.
The Japan-bred Tastiera also made an initial appearance on the list, earning a 120 rating for winning QEII Cup (G1) in his first start of the year.
A number of horses shared a rating of 119, including Museum Mile, Sosie, Thorpedo Anna and Via Sistina. Museum Mile won the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (G1); Sosie took the Prix Ganay (G1); Thorpedo Anna was victorious in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1); and Via Sistina won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1).
| Rk. | Horse | Rating | Trained | Dist. | Surf. | Foaled | Sex | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forever Young (Japan) | 127 | Japan | M | D | 2021 | C | Yoshito Yahagi |
| 2 | Ka Ying Rising (NZ) | 126 | H.K. | S | T | 2020 | G | David Hayes |
| Romantic Warrior (Ire) | 126 | H.K. | M | D | 2018 | G | Danny Shum | |
| 4 | Danon Decile (Japan) | 125 | Japan | L | T | 2021 | C | Shogo Yasuda |
| 5 | White Abarrio | 124 | U.S. | M | D | 2019 | H | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| 6 | Calandagan (Ire) | 123 | France | L | T | 2021 | G | Francis Henri Graffard |
| Locked | 123 | U.S. | I | D | 2021 | C | Todd Pletcher | |
| 8 | Ruling Court | 121 | G.B. | M | T | 2022 | C | Charlie Appleby |
| Soul Rush (Japan) | 121 | Japan | M | T | 2018 | H | Yasutoshi Ikee | |
| Sovereignty | 121 | U.S. | I | D | 2022 | C | Bill Mott | |
| 11 | Durezza (Japan) | 120 | Japan | L | T | 2020 | H | Tomohito Ozeki |
| Field of Gold (Ire) | 120 | G.B. | M | T | 2022 | C | John & Thady Gosden | |
| Rebel's Romance (Ire) | 120 | UAE | L | T | 2018 | G | Charlie Appleby | |
| Tastiera (Japan) | 120 | Japan | I | T | 2020 | H | Noriyuki Hori | |
| Voyage Bubble (Aus.) | 120 | H.K. | M | T | 2018 | G | Ricky Yiu | |
| 16 | Journalism | 119 | U.S. | I | D | 2022 | C | Michael McCarthy |
| Museum Mile (Japan) | 119 | Japan | I | T | 2022 | C | Daisuke Takayanagi | |
| Shadow of Light (G.B.) | 119 | G.B. | M | T | 2022 | C | Charlie Appleby | |
| Sosie (Ire) | 119 | France | I | T | 2021 | C | André Fabre | |
| Thorpedo Anna | 119 | U.S. | M | D | 2021 | F | Kenny McPeek | |
| Via Sistina (Ire) | 119 | Aus. | I | T | 2018 | M | Chris Waller |