THE LONGINES WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSE RANKINGS

The official listing of the world’s best racehorses

(For 3yos and upwards which raced between 1st January and 7th September 2025)

 

Following his victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), OMBUDSMAN (IRE) [128] is now the highest rated horse in the world in the seventh edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025. Additionally, as the result of his dominant score in the DraftKings Travers Stakes (G1), SOVEREIGNTY (USA) [127] is now the co-second highest rated horse in the world.

 

 

 

 

Ombudsman defeated DELACROIX (IRE) [127] by 3 ½ lengths at York, and in doing so, he raised his rating to 128 from 127. Earlier this year, Ombudsman won the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot by 2 lengths over ANMAAT (IRE) [123]. He then finished second by a neck to Delacroix in the Coral-Eclipse (G1).

 

Meanwhile, Sovereignty made short work of his rivals in the Travers and pulled away to win by 10 lengths. As a result of that effort, he raised his rating to 127 from 125. Sovereignty’s other victories this year have come in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1), Jim Dandy Stakes presented by Mohegan Sun (G2), and Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).

 

Furthermore, FIERCENESS (USA) [125] finds himself ranked this year after his score in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1). He defeated JOURNALISM (USA) [120] by 3 ¼ lengths, while Journalism was 6 ½ lengths in front of the next competitor. Earlier this season, Fierceness won the Alysheba Stakes presented by Sentient Jet (G2) and finished second in the Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1).

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Globetrotting BYZANTINE DREAM (JPN) [121] is also new to the rankings. The Japanese runner made headlines when he defeated SOSIE (IRE) [120] by a half-length the Qatar Prix Foy (G2). Earlier this year, he won the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2) in Saudi Arabia, and he also finished second by a head in the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1).

 

Meanwhile a trio of horses join the rankings on a rating of 120. DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (IRE) [120] won the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) by a head over NOTABLE SPEECH (GB) [120], while GOLIATH (GER) [120] took the WETTSTAR.de - 155th Grosser Preis von Baden (G1).

 

 

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The LONGINES 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 (IFHA).

For further details on the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, please contact:

Nigel Gray, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee

Chief Advisor on World Racehorse Rankings, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Telephone +852 2966 8337

Email nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk

Dominic Gardiner-Hill, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee

Head of Handicapping, British Horseracing Authority

E-mail dgardinerhill@britishhorseracing.com

 

Tom Robbins, chairman, North American Ratings Committee

Executive Vice President, Racing & Industry Relations, Racing Secretary, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Telephone +1 858 792 4230

Email tomr@dmtc.com

 

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The full list and further information on the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website http://www.ifhaonline.org.

 

The next edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings will be published on Thursday 9^th October 2025.

 

E-Mail: achesser@jockeyclub.com