(Covering the period 1st Jan 2008 – 30th Jun 2008)
American four year old CURLIN (USA) [130] has retained the crown of top ranked racehorse in the world in the latest edition of the World’s Leading Horses, which covers the period 1st January to 30th June 2008. He recently confirmed the positive impression he made in the Dubai World Cup (G1) (sponsored by Emirates Airlines) by proving totally dominant in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs and remains the outstanding performer in the world in the past six months as rated by the panel of handicappers/racing secretaries affiliated to the IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities).
Among the younger generation, BIG BROWN (USA) [126] and NEW APPROACH (IRE) [126] continue to lead the way for their victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1) (Presented by Yum! Brands) and the Vodafone Derby (G1) respectively, while ZARKAVA (IRE) [124] remains the top ranked filly/mare for her impressive success in the Prix de Diane (G1).
WORLD'S LEADING HORSES |
|||
Top 10 Horses - 1st Jan 2008 to 30th June 2008 |
|||
|
|
|
|
Rank |
Horse |
Rating |
Trained |
1 |
CURLIN (USA) |
130 |
USA |
2 |
BIG BROWN (USA) |
126 |
USA |
2 |
NEW APPROACH (IRE) |
126 |
IRE |
4 |
DUKE OF MARMALADE (IRE) |
125 |
IRE |
4 |
TARTAN BEARER (IRE) |
125 |
GB |
6 |
HENRYTHENAVIGATOR (USA) |
124 |
IRE |
6 |
YOUMZAIN (IRE) |
124 |
GB |
6 |
ZARKAVA (IRE) |
124 |
FR |
9 |
SACRED KINGDOM (AUS) |
123 |
HK |
9 |
SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (IRE) |
123 |
IRE |
Horses trained by Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien dominated at Royal Ascot recently. DUKE OF MARMALADE (IRE) [125] made it three G1 wins in a row in producing a career best effort in winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) and his stablemate HENRYTHENAVIGATOR (USA) [124] equally achieved a Group 1 hat trick in winning the St James’s Palace Stakes (G1) from RAVEN’S PASS (USA) [121], while YEATS (IRE) [122] became only the second horse in history to win the Ascot Gold Cup (G1) in three consecutive years.
Among the classic generation there have been a number of notable Group 1 successes of late which warrant inclusion among the World’s Top 50 Horses. FROZEN FIRE (GER) [122] gained his first Group success in winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) while, back at Royal Ascot, KINGSGATE NATIVE (IRE) [120] defeated a fine field of all aged sprinters in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (G1) as did the Spanish three year old EQUIANO (FR) [119] in the King’s Stand Stakes (G1). Also at Ascot, LUSH LASHES (GB) [118] gained her first Group 1 success in winning the Coronation Stakes (G1) impressively.
YOUMZAIN (IRE) [124] equalled his career best rating in gaining revenge on SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (IRE) [123] in winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) with globetrotting French horse DOCTOR DINO (FR) [119] back in third. Ex Australian horse HARADASUN (AUS) [120] signed off his racing career with a Northern Hemisphere Group 1 success in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1), while Japanese horse EISHIN DEPUTY (JPN) [118] enters the listing for the first time following his success in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1).The World's Leading Horses are compiled by the World Rankings Supervisory Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The next World's Leading Horses listing will be released on 31st July 2008.
For
further details on the World's Leading Horses, please contact:
Nigel
Gray, co-chairman World Rankings Supervisory Committee
Head of Handicapping and Race Planning, Hong Kong Jockey Club
Telephone +852 2966 8337
Email nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk
Senior Flat Handicapper, Irish Turf Club
Telephone +353 5997 26596
Email gaogorman@eircom.net
Tom
Robbins, chairman North American Ratings Committee
Vice President (Racing), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Telephone +1 858 792 4230
Email tomr@dmtc.com
*******
The full list and further information on the
World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings and World’s Leading Horses are available
on the