World Rankings

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

WORLD RANKINGS

Your 16-page guide to the champions of 2017

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Wednesday, January 24, 2018 racingpost.com

Star of the show: Arrogate sweeps home to win the 2017 Dubai Cup

Paul Curtis assesses the final standings and looks at the key performances of 2017

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RROGATE heads the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for a second year in a row with an official rating of 134, becoming the first horse since Frankel to retain the crown as overall champion.

This is the third year running that a North American-trained horse has headed the global rankings and Arrogate retains the figure accredited to him in the 2016 rankings despite his four-yearold career proving a disappointment following his striking success in the Dubai World Cup last March.

His 2017 campaign was in contrast to the progressive nature of his three-year-old season, and whether he was quite as effective last year is debatable. While he overcame a troubled trip at Meydan, winning odds of 1-3 highlight the lack of real depth to last year’s Dubai World Cup and runner-up Gun Runner clearly improved again when winning his next four Grade 1 starts.

Rated 136 on Racing Post Ratings after his three-year-old campaign, Arrogate’s Meydan RPR of 131 reflects our view that he wasn’t quite as effective last year, though that’s still enough to see him share the honours as our leading horse last year on RPRs with Cracksman.

The emphatic Qipco Champion Stakes winner clearly deserves to be recognised as the leading performer in Europe last year, ahead of his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning stablemate Enable , although the ratings suggest there would be very little between the pair were they to meet.

Both the official figures and RPRs have 2lb between them, which with Enable’s sex

Arrogate is top again but RPR honours shared with Cracksman allowance would swing the vote in her favour. It can be argued that the Arc possessed more strength in depth, but Cracksman looked exceptional on British Champions Day and, sex allowances aside, he rightly rates as champion of Europe.

It’s a further case of ‘as you were’ at the head of the rankings as Australian supermare Winx also retains her 2016 ranking of 132 as leading turf performer after enjoying another unbeaten campaign down under.

It’s hard to quibble with a 22-race unbeaten run stretching back to May 2015 – rivalling that of the great Black Caviar, with whom she ranks the leading Australian horse since their inclusion in the rankings – but doubts remain about the quality of the top Australian races at distances of a mile and more.

One has to go way back to 2003 and Oasis Dream to find the last European-trained horse to be rated leading sprinter outright, but Harry Angel is deserving of such a notable honour after his impressive success in last year’s 32Red Sprint Cup. Bar a disappointing final outing on British Champions Day, Harry Angel had a progressive profile, having turned around Royal Ascot form with Caravaggio in the July Cup. His WBRR figure of 125 ranks him alongside Oasis Dream as officially the best European-trained sprinter this century, while his RPR of 128

compares well with our mark of 129 for Oasis Dream.

Battaash pushed him hard for sprinting honours, sharing top spot with Harry Angel on 128 on RPRs, and the impressive Prix de l’Abbaye winner has been done something of a disservice by the official handicappers with his WBRR mark of 123. It will be interesting to see if the pair can maintain their dominance over 5f and 6f as four-yearolds.

In a strong year for Europe’s sprints, Lady Aurelia, although UStrained, also takes high rank with her King’s Stand Stakes worthy of an official mark of 122. Although she couldn’t confirm the merit of that performance in subsequent starts, it’s right that she ranks ahead of her Nunthorpe Stakes conqueror Marsha.

The leading older horse in Europe was Ulysses, whose official mark of 126 is in keeping with the recent highs for the division.

Getting his ranking from the Juddmonte International, his 126 could be argued to be on the high side given the subsequent defeats for Churchill and Barney Roy, but his profile at ten furlongs supports a more positive view of the form.

With a much stronger group of threeyear-olds set to race on in 2018, one can be hopeful of an upturn in the rankings among the older horses this year.

Ribchester suffered a couple of high-profile disappointments, but he did enough with wins in the Lockinge and Queen Anne to

rank the leading miler in Europe last year, ahead of dual Guineas winner Churchill. His official mark rates him 2lb – equivalent to a length – better last year than as a three-yearold, a position reflected in his RPRs of 126 and 124.

Churchill had looked the champion miler in waiting after his Guineas wins, but his progress stalled significantly thereafter, his form never seeming to recover from a disappointing Royal Ascot. It’s still the right call that he ranks ahead of St James’s Palace Stakes winner Barney Roy, whose better figures came in subsequent defeats over further, the pick of them being when touched off by Ulysses in the Coral-Eclipse.

Churchill would still rate an up-to-standard 2,000 Guineas winner, while Enable, and to a lesser extent Winter, rate as above-average Classic winners.

Despite having Cracksman back in third in the Derby, Wings Of Eagles fares less well, with his official mark of 119 the lowest yet attributed to the Derby winner. RPRs are slightly more complimentary, but Wings Of Eagles’ 121 still ranks at the bottom end of Epsom winning expectations.

Conversely, Capri, also behind at Epsom when shaping a lot better than the bare form, ranks an above-average St Leger winner, his official mark of 120 matching that of Encke in 2012 as a recent high.

As well as the top two in the rankings carrying over their figures, there is more evidence of continuity further down the lists with the likes of Order Of St George and Highland Reel taking high rank for a third year. After a slightly disappointing four-year-old campaign, Order Of St George looked back to his best when romping away with a second Irish St Leger in September and rightly ranks as leading stayer.

Highland Reel has proved a good barometer to international form in recent years, showing form of a similar standard in each of the past three seasons, as reflected in him repeating his 2016 mark of 123 in the latest rankings.

Such stalwarts aid year-to-year comparisons and demonstrate a settled level among the official rankings in recent years.

Fillies and mares are missing out

WINX and Enable dominated the turf last year but they didn’t dominate the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

The flaw in the current system is that the on-track success of fillies and mares is not reflected in the rankings because of a weight allowance they receive when they run against males.

The sex allowance is intended to level the playing field. It differs by country but is generally 3lb to 5lb.

When a filly narrowly beats a colt we don’t hold it against her and celebrate the colt just because he carried more weight. We celebrate the filly. Indeed, she is recognised as the rightful winner by every measure except one.

A prime example came when Minding won the QEII Stakes in 2016. That success saw her crowned Cartier Horse of the Year, but she finished the year down in 18th, alongside her Ascot foe Ribchester, in the Longines Rankings.

There were valid empirical reasons to consider Minding and Ribchester equals, because he carried 3lb more than her when they met. But in reality there was no chance of him ever meeting her on level terms, so portraying them as equals is incongruous to anyone outside the handicapping community.

While the rankings remain true to the ratings on which they are based, they do not reflect what happens on the track. To bring them closer to results, one solution would be to shift all fillies and mares up 3lb when it comes to the end-of-year rankings.

This would more accurately mirror the achievements of fillies and mares and give a more accurate guide to their standing against the males.

The rankings panel are well aware of this issue and one might suggest they have sometimes artificially inflated female ratings to correct the anomaly, but the 3lb boost would achieve the same end without undermining the background ratings.

Using the 3lb adjustment, Winx would be a clear champion on 135 this year, with leading male Arrogate in second (134) and Enable (131) finishing as champion of Europe in a clear third.

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Racing Post Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Enable 128 Arrogate 134

Gun Runner 130

Ulysses 126

TOP RACES WORLDWIDE

Average Rating

Race

Distance/Surface

Track

1 2

Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Chantilly FR

3 4 5

Dubai World Cup Breeders’ Cup Classic George Ryder Stakes

1m4f 1m4f 1m2f 1m2f

6 7= 7= 7=

Queen Elizabeth Stakes

10=

Irish Derby Pegasus World Cup

10=

(T) (T)

Ascot GB Meydan UAE Del Mar US

(D)

(D) 7½ (T) 1m2f (T) 1m2f (T)

Juddmonte International Stakes Prince of Wales’s Stakes Champion Stakes

Rosehill AUS Randwick AUS York GB Ascot GB

1m2f (T) 1m2f (T) 1m4f (T) 1m1f (D)

Cracksman 130

126.25 124.75 124.00 123.75 122.75 122.00 121.75 121.75

Ascot GB 121.75 Curragh IRE 121.50 Gulfstream Park US 121.50

Winx 132

3

6

7 4

9 13 9 10

9 5 2

4

8

6

11

7

10 5

4

Key 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 15

15 9 3

2

United States

8

6

Japan

6

6

Rest of the World

6

5

Australia

6

Great Britain

France

Ireland

120+ RATED HORSES BY COUNTRY TRAINED AND YEAR

11

15 12 12

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Wednesday, January 24, 2018 racingpost.com

Simon Turner assesses the juvenile champions and those with Classic potential

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AST year was a record-breaking one for Aidan O’Brien and the 2017 European Thoroughbred Rankings are dominated by the man from Ballydoyle.

US Navy Flag is the headline horse, earning a ranking of 122 after winning the Middle Park and Dewhurst last autumn.

The two-time Group 1 winner is just the tip of the iceberg, however, with O’Brien responsible for a staggering one-third of the 45 horses rated 110 or above in this year’s rankings.

The Group 1 world record holder’s latest achievement means he has now been responsible for the champion two-year-old no fewer than nine times and completes the second champion two-year-old hat-trick of his career.

This one is all the more noteworthy given O’Brien has also been responsible for the last three champion two-yearold fillies as well, with Clemmie (115) the latest Ballydoyle filly to claim top honours.

In terms of overall depth, this year’s rankings are a fraction below par with nearly ten per cent fewer horses earning a rating of 110 or more than the ten-year average.

US Navy Flag’s ranking of 122 is bang on the

Navy Flag and Clemmie head up their divisions a ’ r en o nate

average for the same period, below the heights of Dream Ahead and Frankel (126) and above the lows of Belardo, Camelot and Dabirsim, who all received a mark of 119.

It’s hard to argue with the panel’s mark for this year’s champion – his ranking is identical to his Racing Post Rating.

A fast time underpinned the Dewhurst win where the son of War Front led home a 1-2-3-4 for Aidan O’Brien from subsequent Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Mendelssohn (116).

It’s true US Navy Flag enjoyed an excellent trip, making all the running against the stands rail on the Rowley Mile, but he is worthy of his ranking and goes down as a hugely admirable two-year-old who thrived on his busy schedule. That said, an 11-race campaign that finished with a heavy defeat on dirt in America raises concerns over his ability to progress this year.

Racing Post Trophy winner Saxon Warrior (119) ensures the top two juveniles are housed at Ballydoyle. His profile could hardly be more different to US Navy Flag’s after three straight wins.

The Deep Impact colt’s perfect record looked beaten at one stage at Doncaster as runner-up Roaring Lion (118) appeared to have his measure before hanging left after hitting the front, not for the first time. John Gosden’s son of Kitten’s Joy lost his unbeaten record but may have prevailed with a more patient ride. He looks the type to find more again and rate into the 120s this year.

As for Saxon Warrior, he appears highly likely to stay a mile and a half and is open to notable improvement. It’s not hard to see why he’s the clear market leader for the Derby.

As a general point it’s hard to quibble with the majority of figures in this year’s rankings.

The fact that just over 93 per cent of the figures differ by less than a length from their Racing Post Ratings is testimony to the accuracy on show.

If one horse has been marginally short-changed by his figure it’s Verbal Dexterity (117), winner of the National Stakes.

Jim Bolger’s son of Vocalised triumphed by three and a half lengths at the Curragh from Beckford (113).

It’s fair to say Beckford appeared a little below his previous best on his first try over seven furlongs. Using

Mendelssohn’s 116 as a guide, the rankings tell us Beckford was awarded a figure of around 111 over a mile in America.

It doesn’t take a great leap of faith to think Gordon Elliot’s colt ran to a similar mark at the Curragh, a fact reflected by Verbal Dexterity’s RPR of 119.

Bolger’s colt failed to match his best when fourth behind Saxon Warrior at Doncaster but gave the impression he was not seen to best effect there, being ridden along at an early stage. He could yet build on last year’s notable figures.

Expert Eye (117) is rated alongside Verbal Dexterity having been many people’s idea of the best of his generation at one stage. Such lofty aspirations appeared within reach after one of the best performances seen in Goodwood’s Vintage Stakes for many a year.

That form worked out a treat with the seven subsequent runners from the race all going on to better their Goodwood performance level. However, Sir Michael Stoute’s colt failed to justify odds-on favouritism in the Dewhurst, getting warm beforehand before racing too freely and stopping quickly. Found to be lame after the race, Expert Eye may yet reach the levels expected of him.

Unfortunately is one of three horses rated 116. He led home stablemate Havana Grey (113) in the Prix Morny, which

TOP JUVENILES IN 2017 LISTED BY RPR Horse

Racing ost Rating

US Navy Flag

122

Saxon Warrior Verbal Dexterity

119

Roaring Lion

118

Expert Eye Fleet Review

116

Mendelssohn Sioux Nation Sands Of Mali Unfortunately

115

Clemmie Wild Illusion

114

Beckford James Garfield Laurens Masar Olmedo Sacred Life September

113

Erasmus Happily Magical The Pentagon

112

was probably the highlight of a fine season for trainer Karl Burke.

Burke saddled a superb nine two-year-old Pattern winners in 2017, with Laurens (113) one of three Spigot Lodge horses rated in the top 18 two-year-olds in Europe.

Laurens had just a nose to spare over September (113) in the Fillies’ Mile, where she enjoyed a good trip and was perhaps rather fortunate to repel the runner-up. That said, the winner looks a filly with real scope who can progress further and rate higher again this year.

Clemmie (115), a sister to dual Guineas winner Churchill, displayed some similar attributes last year, progressing markedly with racing as a juvenile before earning top marks late in the season at Newmarket.

Her Cheveley Park looks a solid line of form, with the likes of Different League (110), Madeline (106) and Eirene (100) justifying her ranking. Seemingly certain to stay a mile, she is another with obvious claims for Classic success this year.

So Aidan O’Brien has strong contenders for the 1,000 Guineas and Derby, with strength in depth in both the 2,000 Guineas and Oaks fields too.

Perhaps the 2,000 Guineas may prove his biggest challenge to win among the Classics. Saxon Warrior and Superlative Stakes winner Gustav Klimt (111) boast definite claims but then so do several others such as Wootton (112).

Acquired by Godolphin after an impressive debut, HenriAlex Pantall’s colt thrashed a Listed field impressively at Deauville next time out. He’d be an intriguing runner if he lines up at Newmarket in May.

Cream of the crop: US Navy Flag (left) and Clemmie

EUROPEAN TWO-YEAR-OLD RATINGS Rating Horse (bred)

Sex Trainer

Rating Horse (bred)

Sex Trainer

Rating Horse (bred)

Sex Trainer

122 US Navy Flag (USA)

C Aidan O’Brien

IRE 11

122 -

113 Laurens (FR)

F Karl Burke

GB

-

-

113

111 Ghaiyyath (IRE)

C Charlie Appleby GB

119 Saxon Warrior (JPN)

C Aidan O’Brien

IRE -

-

119

113 Olmedo (FR)

C J-C Rouget

FR

-

-

113

111 Gustav Klimt (IRE)

C Aidan O’Brien

118 Roaring Lion (USA)

C John Gosden

GB

-

-

118

113 The Pentagon (IRE)

C Aidan O’Brien

IRE -

-

113

111 Hey Gaman (GB)

C James Tate

GB

11

C Sir Michael Stoute GB

-

11

-

112 Elarqam (GB)

C Mark Johnston

GB

112 -

111 Magical (IRE)

F Aidan O’Brien

IRE -

-

112

111 Magic Lily (IRE)

F Charlie Appleby GB

-

-

111

-

111 Mission Impassible (IRE) F J-C Rouget

FR

-

-

111

111 Polydream (FR)

FR

-

111 111

Expert Eye (GB)

Trained

f

f

Trained

f

-

f

11

Verbal Dexterity (IRE) C Jim Bolger

IRE -

11

-

112 Erasmus (GER)

C Markus Klug

GER -

11

Mendelssohn (USA)

C Aidan O’Brien

IRE -

11

11

112 Heartache (GB)

F Clive Cox

GB

112 -

11

Sands Of Mali (FR)

C Richard Fahey

GB

11

-

-

112

C Geor e Scott

GB

112

11

Unfortunately (IRE)

C Karl Burke

GB

11

-

-

112 Masar (IRE)

115 Clemmie (IRE)

F Aidan O’Brien

IRE 115 -

-

112 Nelson (IRE)

C Aidan O’Brien

115 Fleet Review (USA)

C Aidan O’Brien

IRE 115 -

-

112 Sacred Life (FR)

C Stephane Wattel FR

115 Sioux Nation (USA)

C Aidan O’Brien

IRE 115 -

-

112 Seahenge (USA)

114 Wild Illusion (GB)

F Charlie Appleby GB

114

112 September (IRE)

113 Beckford (GB)

C Gordon Elliott

IRE 113 -

-

113 Happily (IRE)

F Aidan O’Brien

IRE -

113 Havana Grey (GB)

C Karl Burke

GB

-

-

113 -

a e Garfiel (IRE)

C Charlie Appleby GB

-

IRE -

F Freddy Head

-

112

111 Threeandfourpence (USA) C Aidan O’Brien

-

112

Trained

f

-

IRE -

IRE -

f

-

111

111 111 111 111

111 -

110 Different League (FR) F M Palussiere

FR

110 -

-

-

112 -

110 Hey Jonesy (IRE)

C Kevin Ryan

GB

110 -

-

C Aidan O’Brien

IRE -

112 -

110 Invincible Army (IRE) C James Tate

GB

110 -

-

F Aidan O’Brien

IRE -

-

112

110 Kew Gardens (IRE)

C Aidan O’Brien

IRE -

-

110

112 Wootton (FR)

C Alex Pantall

FR

-

-

112

110 Luminate (IRE)

F Freddy Head

FR

-

-

110

113

111 Barraquero (IRE)

C Brian Meehan

GB

111 -

-

110 Mythical Magic (IRE) C Charlie Appleby GB

-

110 -

-

111 Cardsharp (GB)

C Mark Johnston

GB

111 -

-

110 Nyaleti (IRE)

110 -

F Mark Johnston

GB

-

Racing Post Wednesday, January 24, 2018

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Wednesday, January 24, 2018 racingpost.com

Plenty to smile about: Champion Stakes winner Cracksman is the world’s top three-year-old with a ranking of 130

OVERALL CHAMPION

STAYER

2002 Rock Of Gibraltar

2002 Vinnie Roe

119

2002 Marienbard

2003 Bollin Eric/Mr Dinos

119

2003 Dalakhani

128

2003 Hawk Wing

133

2004 Ghostzapper

2006 Invasor

2004 Rule Of Law

131

2005 Hurricane Run

2005 Makybe Diva

130

2006 Deep Impact

129

2007 Manduro

131

2008 New Approach/Curlin

MIDDLE

130

2009 Sea The Stars

136

2010 Harbinger

135

2011 Frankel

136

2012 Frankel

140

121

123

2008 Septimus/Yeats/Conduit

122

2008 New Approach/Curlin

2009 Yeats

122

2009 Sea The Stars

2010 So You Think

122

2010 Harbinger

123

131

2004 Ghostzapper

130

2013 Fenomeno

121

131

2014 Just A Way

130

2014 Gold Ship/Protectionist 120

2014 Epiphaneia

129 131

2007 Manduro

130 136 135

2008 Curlin

130

2009 Goldikova

130

2010 Harbinger

135

2011 Black Caviar

128 140

2013 Treve

131 128

2006 Invasor

2012 Frankel

2013 Treve/Black Caviar

133

2005 Ghostzapper

129

2011 Cirrus Des Aigles/Danedream

120

127

2003 Hawk Wing

130

2006 Invasor 2007 Manduro

2002 Marienbard 132

2005 Hurricane Run

122

2011 Americain

127

2004 Ghostzapper

124

2007 Septimus

2012 Encke

FOUR-YEAR-OLD+

130 129

132

2012 Frankel

140

2013 Black Caviar

130

2014 Just A Way

130

2015 American Pharoah

134

2015 Order Of St George

124

2015 American Pharoah

134

2015 Shared Belief

2016 Arrogate

134

2016 Satono Diamond

123

2016 Arrogate

134

2016 California Chrome

133

2017 Arrogate

134

2017 Order Of St George

123

2017 Arrogate

134

2017 Arrogate

134

THREE-YEAR-OLD 2002 Rock Of Gibraltar

128

2003 Dalakhani 2004 Smarty Jones

2007 Authorized/Curlin

2002 Orientate

132 129

2005 Hurricane Run 2006 Bernardini/Discreet Cat

SPRINTER

2006 Absolute Champion 2007 Sacred Kingdom

129 130 136 128

2013 Treve

136 125 130

2002 Rock Of Gibraltar

125

TWO-YEAR-OLD

2003 Hawk Wing 124

123 121 123

2004 Ghostzapper/Rakti

2002 Oasis Dream

128 133

2006 Discreet Cat

128

2006 Teofilo

2009 Goldikova

130

2010 Quality Road/Makfi 130

2012 Frankel

2013 Black Caviar

130

2013 Wise Dan

2008 Mastercraftsman

2011 Camelot/Dabirsim

136 140 129

2013 Toormore

2014 Just A Way

130

2014 Belardo

2015 American Pharoah

134

2015 Able Friend

2015 American Pharoah

131

2015 Air Force Blue

2016 Arrogate

134

2016 Limato/Chautauqua

2017 Cracksman

130

2017 Harry Angel

125

2016 Winx 2017 Winx

124

127 132

126 119

2012 Dawn Approach

2014 Lankan Rupee/Terravista 123

122

122

2009 St Nicholas Abbey

2014 Australia/Kingman/The Grey Gatsby 127

125

126

2010 Dream Ahead/Frankel

128

2011 Frankel

2012 Black Caviar

123

2007 New Approach

126

2009 Sacred Kingdom/Scenic Blast

132

124

2005 George Washington

130

2011 Black Caviar

124

128

2008 Curlin

122

123 121

2004 Shamardal

2005 Ghostzapper

2007 Manduro

123

2003 Bago

124

2008 Sacred Kingdom/Midnight Lute 123

2010 Black Caviar

2011 Frankel 2012 I’ll Have Another

2005 Silent Witness

128

2009 Sea The Stars 2010 Makfi/Workforce

124

2003 Oasis Dream 2004 Pico Central/Sacred Kingdom

130

2008 New Approach

MILER

126

124 122 119 124

2016 Churchill

122

2017 US Navy Flag

122

Racing Post Wednesday, January 24, 2018

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Wednesday, January 24, 2018 racingpost.com

Racing Post Wednesday, January 24, 2018

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Mike Smith celebrates victory in the Dubai World Cup with Arrogate, whose performance marked him as the world’s highest-rated racehorse for the second year running

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International editor Nicholas Godfrey with pen portraits of the top-rated horses

USA Arrogate 134, rating achieved in Dubai World Cup Four-year-old colt Unbridled’s Song (sire) - Bubbler (dam) Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Mike Smith Owner: Juddmonte Farms Inc Becomes the world’s top-rated racehorse for the second time by virtue of his remarkable victory in the Dubai World Cup, where he overwhelmed Gun Runner in the stretch after a sluggish start.

Having two months earlier won the inaugural running of the Pegasus World Cup (official rating 131), the world’s richest race, the horse dubbed ‘America’s King Croesus’ duly became the highest prizemoney earner of all time.

However, his presence at the top of the pile makes the title of ‘World’s Best Racehorse Rankings’ a misnomer; he may have produced the highestrated performance of 2017, but the way he fizzled out at Del Mar leaves him with a diminished reputation.

As a result, he is unlikely be named America’s Horse of the Year at tomorrow’s Eclipse Awards ceremony, an accolade surely deserved by his Breeders’ Cup conqueror Gun Runner (who, incidentally, hit the 130 mark on no fewer than four occasions). Retired to stud.

AUSTRALIA Winx 132 George Ryder Stakes 6m Street Cry - Vegas Showgirl Trainer: Chris Waller Jockey: Hugh Bowman Owner: Magic Bloodstock Racing et al Denied top spot overall (although she’d win a race given the female allowance), Australia’s mighty mare earns the accolade of turf world champion by virtue of her seven-length romp on heavy ground in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill in March.

Intriguingly, that race was over only 7½f, so on the book handicappers rate her best performance from an unblemished nine-race campaign as having come over a distance generally considered short of her optimum; others may argue a six-and-a-half-length beating of Ventura Storm at Flemington on decent ground was a better effort but it doesn’t really matter.

She is now only the second

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 racingpost.com

GREATEST FROM AROUND THE GLOBE horse to complete a hat-trick in the Cox Plate, Australasia’s premier weight-for-age contest, and if a half-length victory wasn’t the stuff of legends – and she had made us sweat elsewhere thanks to her dramatic come-from-behind style – it is hard to quibble with a perfect record in 2017 (featuring six Group 1s) that extended a famous winning streak to 22 (at a variety of distances on all types of ground).

She is a phenomenon and it really should not matter whether she travels outside Australia – especially as a fourth Cox Plate would be a tremendous achievement.

BRITAIN Cracksman 130 Qipco Champion Stakes 3c Frankel – Rhadegunda Trainer: John Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori Owner: AE Oppenheimer Like Arrogate (probably) at the Eclipse Awards, Cracksman did not top his own

national lists at the Cartiers, where Enable rightly got the major award. But she is rated 128 here (the fillies’ allowance scuppering her), which means her stablemate takes the number one spot in Europe – and, for that matter, the overall top position with 131 on RPRs (a pound above Arrogate, Winx and Gun Runner) – thanks to that sensational display on soft ground at Ascot.

Always highly rated, he could have been a dual Derby winner with a bit of luck, but still looked a world beater in the second half of the season when his Champion Stakes victory was presaged by impressive efforts at York and Chantilly.

Should he have run in the Arc? We’ll never know.

Here’s hoping he continues in the same vein in 2018.

FRANCE

JAPAN

Cloth Of Stars

Kitasan Black

125 Arc (second) 4c Sea The Stars - Strawberry Fledge Trainer: Andre Fabre Jockey: Mickael Barzalona Owner: Godolphin SNC A bit of an oddity here, given that his best effort came in defeat when a couple of lengths adrift of Enable in the Arc. Still, this soft-ground performer had already shown the benefits of increasing maturity, almost stealthily enjoying a highly creditable four-year-old season during which he was never worse than second in five starts (indeed, only once out of the first three in 13 career starts).

He rattled up an earlyseason Group-race hat-trick by May 1, culminating in a first top-level success in the Prix Ganay, where he held off the late challenge of Zarak (after a troubled passage).

He saw out the 1m4f trip well when beaten after a break in a messy Prix Foy before his career-best effort when closing late in the Arc. Likely to be seen next in Dubai, where faster ground may be a negative, but otherwise he looks the sort to thrive in the best middledistance company at five.

124 Arima Kinen 5h Black Tide - Sugar Heart Trainer: Hisashi Shimizu Jockey: Yutaka Take Owner: Ono Shoji The reigning Japanese Horse of the Year added further lustre to his glorious record with four more Grade 1 wins in 2017 to take his career tally to seven, winning the Osaka Hai and the spring and autumn editions of the Tenno Sho (over 2m and 1m2f respectively) before an emotional farewell success in the end-of-season grand prix, the Arima Kinen.

He never raced abroad but was a huge fan favourite at home, and deservedly so: he broke the track record in the spring Tenno Sho but showed better form in the autumn edition, beating a tip-top field featuring a multitude of Grade 1 winners and Classic winners.

He was hot favourite to complete back-to-back successes in the Japan Cup and looked sure to win entering the straight but was run down in the final furlong after adopting his customary front-running tactics (reportedly lost shoe) before becoming the highest earner in Japan Racing Association history in the Arima Kinen. Now retired to stud.

IRELAND Churchill

(3c, Aidan O’Brien)

Highland Reel

(5h, Aidan O’Brien)

Order Of St George

(5h, Aidan O’Brien) 123 A three-way Ballydoyle tie for number one in Ireland, including the iron horse with the golden legacy. Tough and talented, durable and consistent, Highland Reel’s career CV features seven Group 1 wins and 13 starts outside Britain and Ireland, with journeys to France, Australia, Dubai, the USA and four times to Hong Kong.

Nineteen of his last 20 races were at the top level and, despite rarely getting the good ground he favours, he added three more Group 1s to his tally in 2017, earning his highest rating in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot when he overcame a field full of Group 1 winners.

He exited the stage by becoming the biggest European-trained earner of all time (£7.5 million-plus) when he regained his Hong Kong Vase crown.

Order Of St George earns his rating via a straightforward odds-on victory in the Irish St Leger, where a nine-length

11

Racing Post Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Leading performers (clockwise from left): Winx scores at Flemington before winning the Cox Plate three weeks later; UAE’s Ertijaal is one of the world’s fastest; Mr Stunning (left) storms home to claim the Hong Kong Sprint

drubbing of Torcedor made up for his shock defeat in 2016, while dual Guineas winner Churchill easily beat Thunder Snow by two and a half lengths at the Curragh to earn a share of top spot.

His star dimmed with five defeats in the latter half of the campaign, however. Like Highland Reel, he has been retired to stud.

HONG KONG Mr Stunning 121 Premier Bowl Handicap 5g Exceed And Excel - With Fervour Trainer: John Size Jockey: Nash Rawiller Owner: Maurice Koo Win Chong Came to international prominence with his odds-on success in the Hong Kong Sprint over 6f, where he held off stablemate D B Pin with a high-quality field behind as he registered his seventh course success at Sha Tin. He made excellent progress overall, also winning a pair of course-and-distance Group 2s, and achieved his exalted rating under 9st 7lb in a Group 2 handicap in October; also scored from a double-digit draw in the main HK Sprint trial.

Looks sure to be a force to reckon with when sent on his travels, with Dubai’s Al Quoz Sprint an obvious early target.

ARGENTINA

GERMANY

Puerto Escondido

Dschingis Secret

120 GP Carlos Pellegrini 4c Hurricane Cat - Surf Point Trainer: Pablo Sahagian Jockey: Osvaldo Alderete Owner: Facundito Much as the inclusion of South American-trained horses in the rankings is to be heartily applauded – the exercise is a truly global affair nowadays – one can’t help thinking their representatives are occasionally handed a little helping hand on official figures. That said, Puerto Escondido did at least win by wide margins, so the handicappers had something to hang their hat on this time.

The four-year-old won the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, in effect the continent’s Arc, at San Isidro in December, justifying favouritism by a comfortable four lengths over top-level Grade 1 performer Don Inc; he had also won the Grade 1 Copa de Oro a couple of months earlier by six lengths.

However, he is still only a pound ahead of Sixties Song, who won the GP Latinoamericano, the South American championship, in Chile in March; he was last of ten in the King George, although it is probable he did not give anything like his running.

120 Hansa Preis/GP von Berlin/Prix Foy 4c Soldier Hollow - Divya Trainer: Markus Klug Jockey: Adrie de Vries Owner: Horst Pudwill Nice and tidy from our handicapping friends across the globe here as Germany’s top performer hits the 120 mark on three successive occasions.

The form has a solid look, too, as he beat Group 1 winner Hawkbill at home before downing subsequent Arc runner-up Cloth Of Stars in the Prix Foy (best effort according to RPRs).

He was a highly creditable sixth in the Arc next time out before third-best in a tight finish for a Group 1 in Munich.

Prefers soft ground and is a proper Group 1 horse at 1m4f when conditions are right.

SOUTH AFRICA Legal Eagle (6g, Sean Tarry)

Marinaresco

(5g, Candice Bass-Robinson)

120 Geldings strike a blow in South Africa by providing the joint top-rated pair. Legal Eagle retained his Equus Horse of the

Year title at the end of last season in August after further Grade 1 successes in the Queen’s Plate and the Horse Chestnut Stakes, in both of which he was deemed to have run to a rating of 120 (only 114 on RPRs).

His overall career record is pretty remarkable: racing almost exclusively at the top level, he hasn’t been out of the first two in his last nine starts; having completed a Queen’s Plate hat-trick a couple of weeks ago, he runs in the Sun Met (second in 2017) on Saturday.

Marinaresco was a one-hit wonder, often down the field but with one standout performance to win the Durban July, the nation’s biggest race, at Greyville. Still in training, he was fifth in the Queen’s Plate.

NEW ZEALAND Gingernuts 118 NZ Derby/ Rosehill Guineas 4g Iffraaj - Double Elle Trainer: Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards Jockey: Opie Bosson Owner: Te Akau Gingernuts Syndicate New Zealand-trained horses usually have to cross the Tasman Sea to Australia to earn their better ratings, but according to the official team Gingernuts never bettered the

118 earned at home when claiming the New Zealand Derby with a withering burst at Ellerslie in March, though he matched it a fortnight later in Sydney.

For what it’s worth, RPRs suggest he did even better after he turned four, posting his best effort (RPR 113) on the Racing Post scale at Hastings in the Group 1 Windsor Park Plate in September.

Admittedly, the NZ Derby has a solid enough feel: Jon Snow, who came third, went on to win the BMW Australian Derby at Randwick (with Gingernuts beaten favourite in fifth), the senior Aussie race for the Classic crop. But he loses out in this game of thrones with an official mark of 117 in the World Rankings.

UAE Ertijaal 118 Meydan Sprint 6g Oasis Dream - Shabiba Trainer: Ali Rashid Al Rayhi Jockey: Jim Crowley Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum Left William Haggas’s stable at the end of his three-year-old campaign and, despite developing into one of the fastest turf horses in the world, remains curiously unsung since, presumably because he has led a sheltered existence racing exclusively at the start of the year in Dubai.

Although he has won over 7f, he generally struggles at anything beyond the minimum and remains a standing dish at that trip at Meydan, where he has racked up a series of blistering victories (owns three of the fastest seven times at 5f).

Earns top rating with a nearthree-length verdict over highclass Jungle Cat in the Group 3 Meydan Sprint; he was third when trying to make all as favourite for the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on his last start in 2017, but that race had been upped to 6f, which did not help.

An overseas campaign was mooted for a horse dubbed “an aeroplane” by jockey Jim Crowley but in the event Ertijaal was never seen abroad; he has already scored at this year’s Dubai Carnival. Frankly, the handicappers have been a little cautious: he could easily have been rated higher on what he achieved (often runs low-to-mid 120s on RPRs).

Others top rated by nation Brazil 117 Voador Magee (Grande Premio Brasil) Chile 116 Robert Bruce (Premio Nacional Ricardo Lyon) Italy 115 Full Drago (GP del Jockey Club) Peru 115 Barbon (Clasico Jose Rodriguez Razetto), Dixie Wave (Clasico Pedro Garcia Miro)

12

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 racingpost.com

THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND OLDER

Rating

Horse (bred)

Trainer

Trained

Rating

Horse (bred)

134

Arrogate (USA)

2013

Born

Sex Category Surface

C

I

D

Bob Baffert

USA

119

Diversify (USA)

2013

Born

Sex Category Surface

G

I

D

Trainer

Richard Violette Jr

Trained

USA

131

Arrogate (USA)

2013

C

M

D

Bob Baffert

USA

119

Forever Unbridled (USA)

2012

M

M

D

Dallas Stewart

USA

132

Winx (AUS)

2011

M

M

T

Chris Waller

AUS

119

Guignol (GER)

2012

H

L

T

Jean-Pierre Carvalho

GER

130

Winx (AUS)

2011

M

I

T

Chris Waller

AUS

119

Helene Paragon (FR)

2012

H

M

T

John Moore

HK

130

Cracksman (GB)

2014

C

I

T

John Gosden

GB

119

Hydrangea (IRE)

2014

F

L

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

130

Gun Runner (USA)

2013

C

I

D

Steven Asmussen

USA

119

Idaho (IRE)

2013

C

L

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

128

Enable (GB)

2014

F

L

T

John Gosden

GB

119

Imperial Hint (USA)

2013

C

S

D

Luis Carvajal Jr

USA

12

Ulysses (IRE)

2013

C

I

T

Sir Michael Stoute

GB

119

Librisa Breeze (GB)

2012

G

S

T

Dean Ivory

GB

125

Cloth Of Stars (IRE)

2013

C

L

T

Andre Fabre

FR

119

Limato (IRE)

2012

G

M

T

Henry Candy

GB

125

Harry Angel (IRE)

2014

C

S

T

Clive Cox

GB

119

Lucky Bubbles (AUS)

2011

G

S

T

Francis Lui

HK

119

Marsha (IRE)

2013

F

S

T

Sir Mark Prescott

GB

124

Collected (USA)

2013

C

I

D

Bob Baffert

USA

124

Kitasan Black (JPN)

2012

H

L

T

Hisashi Shimizu

JPN

119

Neorealism (JPN)

2011

H

I

T

Noriyuki Hori

JPN

124

Ribchester (IRE)

2013

C

M

T

Richard Fahey

GB

119

Our Ivanhowe (GER)

2010

H

I

T

Lee & Anthony Freedman

AUS

123

Battaash (IRE)

2014

G

S

T

Charles Hills

GB

119

Peniaphobia (IRE)

2011

G

S

T

Tony Cruz

HK

119

Poet’s Word (IRE)

2013

C

I

T

Sir Michael Stoute

GB

123

Cheval Grand (JPN)

2012

H

L

T

Yasuo Tomomichi

JPN

123

Churchill (IRE)

2014

C

M

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

119

Rapper Dragon (AUS)

2012

G

I

T

John Moore

HK

123

Highland Reel (IRE)

2012

H

I

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

119

Rekindling (GB)

2014

C

E

T

Joseph O’Brien

IRE

123

Mor Spirit (USA)

2013

R

M

D

Bob Baffert

USA

119

Shaman Ghost (CAN)

2012

H

M/I

D

James Jerkens

USA

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

119

Sixties Song (ARG)

2013

C

L

T

Alfredo F. Gaitan-Dassie

ARG

119

Thewizardofoz (AUS)

2011

G

M

T

John Size

HK

119

Time Warp (GB)

2013

G

I

T

Tony Cruz

HK

119

War Story (USA)

2012

G

I

D

Jorge Navarro

USA

119

Werther (NZ)

2011

G

L

T

John Moore

HK

123

Order Of St George (IRE)

2012

H

E

T

123

Sharp Azteca (USA)

2013

C

M

D

Jorge Navarro

USA

123

World Approval (USA)

2012

G

M

T

Mark Casse

USA

122

Chautauqua (AUS)

2010

G

S

T

M, W & J Hawkes

AUS

122

Humidor (NZ)

2012

G

M/I

T

Darren Weir

AUS

122

Jack Hobbs (GB)

2012

H

L

T

John Gosden

GB

122

Lady Aurelia (USA)

2014

F

S

T

Wesley Ward

USA

122

Roy H (USA)

2012

G

S

D

Peter Miller

USA

122

Satono Crown (JPN)

2012

H

I/L

T

Noriyuki Hori

JPN

122

Taareef (USA)

2013

C

M

T

Jean-Claude Rouget

FR

122

Talismanic (GB)

2013

C

L

T

Andre Fabre

FR

122

West Coast (USA)

2014

C

M/I

D

Bob Baffert

USA

121

Barney Roy (GB)

2014

C

I

T

Richard Hannon

GB

121

Beach Patrol (USA)

2013

C

L

T

Chad Brown

USA

121

Brametot (IRE)

2014

C

M

T

Jean-Claude Rouget

FR

121

Drefong (USA)

2013

C

S

D

Bob Baffert

USA

121

Happy Clapper (AUS)

2010

G

M

T

Patrick Webster

AUS

121

Hartnell (GB)

2011

G

M

T

John O’Shea

AUS

121

Jameka (AUS)

2012

M

L

T

Ciaron Maher

AUS

121

Mr Stunning (AUS)

2012

G

S

T

John Size

HK

121

Oscar Performance (USA)

2014

R

I

T

Brian Lynch

USA

121

Redzel (AUS)

2012

G

S

T

Peter & Paul Snowden

AUS

121

Rey De Oro (JPN)

2014

C

L

T

Kazuo Fujisawa

JPN

120

Always Dreaming (USA)

2014

C

I

D

Todd Pletcher

USA

120

Battle Of Midway (USA)

2014

C

M

D

Jerry Hollendorfer

USA

120

Big Orange (GB)

2011

G

E

T

Michael Bell

GB

120

Capri (IRE)

2014

C

L/E

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

120

Caravaggio (USA)

2014

C

S

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

120

Decorated Knight (GB)

2012

H

I

T

Roger Charlton

GB

120

Dschingis Secret (GER)

2013

C

L

T

Markus Klug

GER

120

Gold Actor (JPN)

2011

H

L

T

Tadashige Nakagawa

JPN

120

Heshem (IRE)

2013

C

M

T

Christophe Ferland

FR

120

Le Brivido (FR)

2014

C

M

T

Andre Fabre

FR

120

Legal Eagle (SAF)

2011

G

M

T

Sean Tarry

SAF

120

Le Romain (AUS)

2012

G

S/M

T

Kris Lees

AUS

120

Marinaresco (SAF)

2012

G

L

T

Candice Bass-Robinson

SAF

120

Minding (IRE)

2013

F

I

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

120

Mind Your Biscuits (USA)

2013

C

S

D

Chad Summers

USA

120

Mutakayyef (GB)

2011

G

M

T

William Haggas

GB

120

Puerto Escondido (ARG)

2013

C

L

T

Pablo Sahagian

ARG

120

Satono Diamond (JPN)

2013

C

E

T

Yasutoshi Ikee

JPN

120

Vega Magic (AUS)

2012

G

S/M

T

D & B Hayes & T Dabernig AUS

119

Al Wukair (IRE)

2014

C

M

T

Andre Fabre

FR

119

Bateel (IRE)

2012

M

L

T

Francis-Henri Graffard

FR

119

Beauty Only (IRE)

2011

G

M

T

Tony Cruz

HK

119

Black Heart Bart (AUS)

2010

G

M

T

Darren Weir

AUS

119

D B Pin (NZ)

2012

G

S

T

John Size

HK

119

Deauville (IRE)

2013

C

M

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

119

Wings Of Eagles (FR)

2014

C

L

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

119

Winter (IRE)

2014

F

M/I

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

118

Abel Tasman (USA)

2014

F

M

D

Bob Baffert

USA

118

Admire Deus (JPN)

2011

H

E

T

Tomoyuki Umeda

JPN

118

Al Ain (JPN)

2014

C

I

T

Yasutoshi Ikee

JPN

118

Amazing Kids (NZ)

2011

G

S

T

John Size

HK

118

Ballet Concerto (GB)

2013

G

M

T

Sir Michael Stoute

GB

118

Beat The Bank (GB)

2014

G

M

T

Andrew Balding

GB

118

Beauty Generation (NZ)

2012

G

M

T

John Moore

HK

118

Captain America (SAF)

2010

G

M

T

Brett Crawford

SAF

118

Cloud Computing (USA)

2014

C

I

D

Chad Brown

USA

118

Contentment (AUS)

2010

G

M

T

John Size

HK

118

Copano Rickey (JPN)

2010

H

I

D

Akira Murayama

JPN

118

Crystal Ocean (GB)

2014

C

E

T

Sir Michael Stoute

GB

118

Edict Of Nantes (SAF)

2013

C

M

T

Brett Crawford

SAF

118

Elate (USA)

2014

F

M/I

D

William Mott

USA

118

Ertijaal (IRE)

2011

G

S

T

Ali Rashid Al Rayhi

UAE

118

Gingernuts (NZ)

2013

G

I/L

T

S Autridge & J Richards

NZ

118

Hawkbill (USA)

2013

C

L

T

Charlie Appleby

GB

118

Inns Of Court (IRE)

2014

C

M

T

Andre Fabre

FR

118

Iquitos (GER)

2013

C

I/L

T

Hans Jurgen Groschel

GER

118

Kiseki (JPN)

2014

C

E

T

Katsuhiko Sumii

JPN

118

Mastery (USA)

2014

C

M

D

Bob Baffert

USA

118

Not Listenin’Tome (AUS)

2010

G

S

T

John Moore

HK

118

Pakistan Star (GER)

2013

G

I

T

Tony Cruz

HK

118

Persian Knight (JPN)

2014

C

M

T

Yasutoshi Ikee

JPN

118

Persuasive (IRE)

2013

F

M

T

John Gosden

GB

118

Rainbow Line (JPN)

2013

C

I

T

Hidekazu Asami

JPN

118

Redkirk Warrior (GB)

2011

G

S

T

D & B Hayes & T Dabernig AUS

118

Satono Aladdin (JPN)

2011

H

M

T

Yasutoshi Ikee

118

Sharp Samurai (USA)

2014

C

M

T

Mark Glatt

USA

118

Songbird (USA)

2013

F

M/I

D

Jerry Hollendorfer

USA

JPN

118

Staphanos (JPN)

2011

H

I

T

Hideaki Fujiwara

JPN

118

Stradivarius (GB)

2014

C

E

T

John Gosden

GB

118

Suave Richard (JPN)

2014

C

L

T

Yasushi Shono

JPN

118

Terravista (AUS)

2009

G

S

T

Joseph Pride

AUS

118

Thunder Snow (IRE)

2014

C

M

T

Saeed Bin Suroor

GB

118

Tosen Stardom (JPN)

2011

H

M/I

T

Darren Weir

AUS

118

Trapeze Artist (AUS)

2014

C

M

T

Gerald Ryan

AUS

118

Trip To Heaven (SAF)

2011

G

S

T

Sean Tarry

SAF

118

Whisky Baron (AUS)

2012

G

I

T

Brett Crawford

SAF

11

Air Spinel (JPN)

2013

C

M

T

Kazuhide Sasada

JPN

11

Almandin (GER)

2010

G

L

T

Robert Hickmott

AUS

11

Bigger Picture (USA)

2011

G

L

T

Michael Maker

USA

Racing Post Wednesday, January 24, 2018

13

14

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 racingpost.com

THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND OLDER Rating

Horse (bred)

Trainer

Trained

Rating

Horse (bred)

Trainer

Trained

11

Blackjackcat (USA)

2013

Born

Sex Category Surface

G

M

T

Mark Glatt

USA

11

El Benicio (ARG)

2013

Born

Sex Category Surface

C

M

T

Pablo Sahagian

ARG

11

Blazing Speed (GB)

2009

G

I

T

Tony Cruz

HK

11

Eminent (IRE)

2014

C

I/L

T

Martyn Meade

GB

11

Brave Smash (JPN)

2013

C

S

T

Darren Weir

AUS

11

Fell Swoop (AUS)

2011

G

S

T

Matthew Dale

AUS

11

Bullards Alley (USA)

2012

G

L

T

Tim Glyshaw

USA

11

Flamberge (AUS)

2009

G

S

T

Darren Weir

AUS

11

Championship (IRE)

2011

G

M

T

Ahmad Bin Harmash

UAE

11

Giant Expectations (USA)

2013

C

M

D

Peter Eurton

USA

11

Classic Empire (USA)

2014

C

I

D

Mark Casse

USA

11

Greater London (JPN)

2012

H

M

T

Masahiro Otake

JPN

11

Clearly Innocent (AUS)

2011

G

S/M

T

Kris Lees

AUS

11

Hardham (AUS)

2013

C

L

T

David Brideoake

AUS

11

Cliffs Of Moher (IRE)

2014

C

L

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

11

Harper’s Choice (AUS)

2013

C

L

T

Gerald Ryan

AUS

11

Deploy (AUS)

2012

G

S

T

Gerald Ryan

AUS

11

Hat Puntano (ARG)

2013

C

M

T

M. G. Azzie & A. A. Azzie

SAF

11

Extreme Choice (AUS)

2013

C

S

T

Mick Price

AUS

11

Here Comes When (IRE)

2010

G

M

T

Andrew Balding

GB

11

Frontiersman (GB)

2013

C

L

T

Charlie Appleby

GB

11

Impending (AUS)

2013

C

S

T

James Cummings

AUS

11

Gailo Chop (FR)

2011

G

M/I

T

Darren Weir

AUS

11

It’s Somewhat (USA)

2011

G

M

T

John O’Shea

AUS

11

Gold Dream (JPN)

2013

C

M

D

Osamu Hirata

JPN

11

Johannes Vermeer (IRE)

2013

C

I/E

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

11

Gunnevera (USA)

2014

C

M

D

Antonio Sano

USA

11

Kawi (NZ)

2010

G

M

T

Allan Sharrock

NZ JPN

11

Hey Doc (AUS)

2013

G

S

T

Tony McEvoy

AUS

11

K T Brave (JPN)

2013

C

I

D

Tetsuya Meno

11

Hoppertunity (USA)

2011

H

M

D

Bob Baffert

USA

11

Mubtaahij (IRE)

2012

H

M

D

Bob Baffert

USA

11

Ice Breeze (GB)

2014

C

E

T

Pascal Bary

FR

11

Neolithic (USA)

2013

C

I

D

Todd Pletcher

USA

11

Isla Bonita (JPN)

2011

H

M

T

Hironori Kurita

JPN

11

Paradise Woods (USA)

2014

F

M

D

Richard Mandella

USA

11

Jimmy Two Times (FR)

2013

C

M

T

Andre Fabre

FR

11

Pavel (USA)

2014

C

I

D

Doug O’Neill

USA

11

Jon Snow (NZ)

2013

C

I/L

T

M Baker & A Forsman

NZ

11

Red Falx (JPN)

2011

H

S/M

T

Tomohito Ozeki

JPN

11

Joyful Trinity (IRE)

2012

G

M

T

John Moore

HK

11

Rhododendron (IRE)

2014

F

M

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE AUS

11

Keen Ice (USA)

2012

H

I

D

Todd Pletcher

USA

11

Rising Red (NZ)

2013

G

L

T

T Busuttin & N Young

11

Lady Eli (USA)

2012

M

M

T

Chad Brown

USA

11

Robert Bruce (CHI)

2014

C

I

T

Patricio Baeza

CHI

11

Lancaster Bomber (USA)

2014

C

M

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

11

Secret Weapon (GB)

2010

G

I

T

Dennis Yip

HK

11

Logotype (JPN)

2010

H

M

T

Tsuyoshi Tanaka

JPN

11

Seiun Kosei (JPN)

2013

C

S

T

Hiroyuki Uehara

JPN

11

Lucky Hussler (AUS)

2009

G

M

T

Darren Weir

AUS

11

Sense Of Occasion (AUS)

2010

G

I

T

Kris Lees

AUS

11

Makahiki (JPN)

2013

C

L

T

Yasuo Tomomichi

JPN

11

Shakeel (FR)

2014

C

L

T

Alain de Royer Dupre

FR

11

Malaguerra (AUS)

2011

G

S

T

Peter Gelagotis

AUS

11

Spieth (NZ)

2012

H

S

T

Bryce Heys

AUS

11

Massaat (IRE)

2013

C

M

T

Owen Burrows

GB

11

Star Turn (AUS)

2012

H

S

T

M, W & J Hawkes

AUS

11

Merchant Navy (AUS)

2014

C

S

T

Aaron Purcell

AUS

11

Stellar Wind (USA)

2012

M

M

D

John Sadler

USA

11

Midnight Storm (USA)

2011

H

M/I

D

Philip d’Amato

USA

11

Stratum Star (AUS)

2011

H

M

T

Darren Weir

AUS

11

Palentino (AUS)

2012

H

M

T

Darren Weir

AUS

11

Suedois (FR)

2011

G

M

T

David O’Meara

GB

11

Rafeef (AUS)

2012

H

S

T

Mike de Kock

SAF

11

Sungrazer (JPN)

2014

C

M

T

Hidekazu Asami

JPN

11

Real Steel (JPN)

2012

H

M

T

Yoshito Yahagi

JPN

11

Talktothestars (SAF)

2011

G

S

T

Coenie de Beer

SAF

11

Roly Poly (USA)

2014

F

M

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

11

Tasleet (GB)

2013

C

S

T

William Haggas

GB

11

Russian Revolution (AUS)

2013

C

S

T

Peter & Paul Snowden

AUS

11

The Right Man (GB)

2012

G

S

T

Didier Guillemin

FR

11

Sadler’s Joy (USA)

2013

C

L

T

Thomas Albertrani

USA

11

T M Jinsoku (JPN)

2012

H

M

D

Kazuyoshi Kihara

JPN

11

Seventh Heaven (IRE)

2013

F

L

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

11

Turn Me Loose (NZ)

2011

H

M

T

M Baker & A Forsman

NZ HK

11

Signs Of Blessing (IRE)

2011

G

S

T

Francois Rohaut

FR

11

Western Express (AUS)

2012

G

M

T

John Size

11

Sound True (JPN)

2010

G

I

D

Noboru Takagi

JPN

115

Ability (AUS)

2012

G

S

T

Robert Smerdon

AUS

11

Tapwrit (USA)

2014

C

L

D

Todd Pletcher

USA

115

Accelerate (USA)

2013

C

M/I

D

John Sadler

USA

11

Tavago (NZ)

2012

G

I

T

T Busuttin & N Young

AUS

115

Ace High (AUS)

2014

C

L

T

David Payne

AUS

11

The Tin Man (GB)

2012

G

S

T

James Fanshawe

GB

115

Albert (JPN)

2011

H

E

T

Noriyuki Hori

JPN

11

Vazirabad (FR)

2012

G

E

T

Alain de Royer Dupre

FR

115

Aloisia (NZ)

2014

F

M/I

T

Aaron Purcell

AUS

11

Vivlos (JPN)

2013

F

M

T

Yasuo Tomomichi

JPN

115

American Gal (USA)

2014

F

S

D

Simon Callaghan

USA

11

Voador Magee (BRZ)

2013

C

L

T

L. Esteves

BRZ

115

American Patriot (USA)

2013

C

M

T

Todd Pletcher

USA

11

Waldgeist (GB)

2014

C

I/L

T

Andre Fabre

FR

115

Bal A Bali (BRZ)

2010

H

M

T

Richard Mandella

USA

11

Windstoss (GER)

2014

C

L

T

Markus Klug

GER

115

Barbon (PER)

2013

C

M

D

Jorge Salas Vera

PER

11

Wuheida (GB)

2014

F

M

T

Charlie Appleby

GB

115

Barsanti (IRE)

2012

G

L

T

Roger Varian

GB

11

Yamakatsu Ace (JPN)

2012

H

I

T

Kaneo Ikezoe

JPN

115

Best Solution (IRE)

2014

C

I/L

T

Saeed Bin Suroor

GB

11

Zarak (FR)

2013

C

L

T

Alain de Royer Dupre

FR

115

Best Warrior (USA)

2010

H

M

D

Sei Ishizaka

JPN

11

Able Friend (AUS)

2009

G

M

T

John Moore

HK

115

Blizzard (AUS)

2011

G

S/M

T

Ricky Yiu

HK GB

11

Aclaim (IRE)

2013

C

M

T

Martyn Meade

GB

115

Blond Me (IRE)

2012

M

I

T

Andrew Balding

11

Admirable (JPN)

2014

C

L

T

Hidetaka Otonashi

JPN

115

Bonneval (NZ)

2013

F

M/L

T

M Baker & A Forsman

NZ

11

Apollo Kentucky (USA)

2012

H

M

D

Kenji Yamauchi

JPN

115

Chemical Charge (IRE)

2012

H

L

T

Ralph Beckett

GB

11

Blue Point (IRE)

2014

C

S

T

Charlie Appleby

GB

115

Clincher (JPN)

2014

C

E

T

Hiroshi Miyamoto

JPN

11

Brando (GB)

2012

G

S

T

Kevin Ryan

GB

115

Counterattack (AUS)

2012

H

S

T

Chris Waller

AUS

11

Bull Valley (SAF)

2012

G

S

T

Sean Tarry

SAF

115

Dacita (CHI)

2011

M

I

T

Chad Brown

USA

11

Cash Do Jaguarete (BRZ)

2014

C

I

T

M. Andre

BRZ

115

Destin (USA)

2013

C

E

D

Todd Pletcher

USA

11

Close Up (NZ)

2009

G

M

T

Shelley Hale

NZ

115

Dickinson (USA)

2012

M

M

T

Kiaran McLaughlin

USA

11

Connect (USA)

2013

C

M

D

Chad Brown

USA

115

Dixie Wave (ARG)

2012

H

M

T

A B Morales Cavieres

PER

11

Crazy Icon (ARG)

2013

C

I

T

Roberto Pellegatta

ARG

115

Ecuador (NZ)

2009

G

M

T

Gai Waterhouse & A Bott

AUS

11

Cupid (USA)

2013

C

M/I

D

Bob Baffert

USA

115

El Margot (ARG)

2011

H

I

D

Enrique Martin Ferro

ARG

11

Danburite (JPN)

2014

C

I

T

Hidetaka Otonashi

JPN

115

Emperor Roderic (BRZ)

2013

C

I

T

R. M. Lima

BRZ

11

Deo Juvente (SAF)

2011

G

I

T

Geoff Woodruff

SAF

115

English (AUS)

2012

M

S

T

Gai Waterhouse & A Bott

AUS

11

Divisidero (USA)

2012

H

M/I

T

William Bradley

USA

115

Erupt (IRE)

2012

H

I

T

Francis-Henri Graffard

FR

15

Racing Post Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Rating

Horse (bred)

Trainer

Trained

Rating

Horse (bred)

Trainer

Trained

115

Exospheric (GB)

2012

H

I

T

Lee & Anthony Freedman

AUS

115

Recoletos (FR)

2014

C

I

T

Carlos Laffon-Parias

FR

115

Fame Game (JPN)

2010

G

L

T

Yoshitada Munakata

JPN

115

Red Cardinal (IRE)

2012

G

E

T

Andreas Wohler

GER

115

Forty One (ARG)

2013

C

L

T

Jose L. Palacios

ARG

115

Red Ray (SAF)

2010

H

S

T

Joey Ramsden

SAF

115

Full Drago (ITY)

2013

C

L

T

Stefano Botti

ITY

115

Roman Rosso (ARG)

2014

C

L

D

Jorge A. Mayansky Neer

ARG

115

Girvin (USA)

2014

C

M

D

Joe Sharp

USA

115

Ruthven (AUS)

2013

C

L

T

Ciaron Maher

AUS

115

Good Samaritan (USA)

2014

C

M

D

William Mott

USA

115

Sail South (SAF)

2010

G

M

T

Brett Crawford

SAF

115

Heart To Heart (CAN)

2011

H

M

T

Brian Lynch

USA

115

Scottish (IRE)

2012

G

I

T

Charlie Appleby

GB

115

Inference (AUS)

2013

C

M/I

T

M, W & John Hawkes

AUS

115

Irap (USA)

2014

C

M

D

Doug O’Neill

USA

115

Seasons Bloom (AUS)

2012

G

M

T

Danny Shum

HK

115

Irish War Cry (USA)

2014

C

M/L

D

Graham Motion

USA

115

Sheikhzayedroad (GB)

2009

G

E

T

David Simcock

GB

115

Itsinthepost (FR)

2012

G

I

T

Jeff Mullins

USA

115

Silverwave (FR)

2012

H

I/L

T

Pascal Bary

FR

115

It Tiz Well (USA)

2014

F

M

D

Jerry Hollendorfer

USA

115

Soul Stirring (JPN)

2014

F

L

T

Kazuo Fujisawa

JPN

115

Journey (GB)

2012

M

L

T

John Gosden

GB

115

Spirit Of Valor (USA)

2014

C

M

T

Aidan O’Brien

IRE

115

Kris Five (BRZ)

2013

C

M

T

Estanislau Petrochinski

BRZ

115

Takaful (USA)

2014

C

S

D

Kiaran McLaughlin

USA

115

Kurilov (CHI)

2013

C

I

D

Carlos Bagu

CHI

115

The Taj Mahal (IRE)

2014

C

L

T

Robert Hickmott

AUS

115

Legion De Honor (ARG)

2014

C

S

D

Enrique Martin Ferro

ARG

115

The United States (IRE)

2010

H

I

T

Robert Hickmott

AUS

115

Lightning Spear (GB)

2011

H

M

T

David Simcock

GB

115

Time Test (GB)

2012

H

M

T

Chad Brown

USA

115

Long On Value (USA)

2011

H

S

T

William Mott

USA

115

Tivaci (AUS)

2012

H

M

T

Michael Moroney

AUS

115

Lookin At Lee (USA)

2014

C

I

D

Steven Asmussen

USA

115

Mekhtaal (GB)

2013

C

M/I

T

Jean-Claude Rouget

FR

115

Menari (AUS)

2014

C

S

T

Gerald Ryan

AUS

115

Mighty Boss (AUS)

2014

C

M

T

Mick Price

AUS

115

Monarchs Glen (GB)

2014

G

M

T

John Gosden

GB

115

Moonlight Magic (GB)

2013

C

I

T

Jim Bolger

IRE

115

My Style (JPN)

2014

C

L

T

Mitsugu Kon

JPN

115

Nezwaah (GB)

2013

F

I

T

Roger Varian

GB

115

Wait A Sec (NZ)

2010

G

I

T

Guy Lowry & Grant Cullen NZ

USA

115

Whitmore (USA)

2013

G

S

D

Ronald Moquett

USA

GER

115

Who Shot Thebarman (NZ)

2008

G

E

T

Chris Waller

AUS

115 115

Off Limits (IRE)

Born

2012

Sex Category Surface

M

M

T

Chad Brown

Born

Sex Category Surface

115

Torcedor (IRE)

2012

G

E

T

Jessica Harrington

IRE

115

Tosen Basil (JPN)

2012

H

L

T

Hideaki Fujiwara

JPN

115

Trais Fluors (GB)

2014

C

M

T

Andre Fabre

FR

115

Unique Bella (USA)

2014

F

S/M

D

Jerry Hollendorfer

USA

115

Vale Dori (ARG)

2012

M

M

D

Bob Baffert

USA

115

Village King (ARG)

2014

C

I

T

Carlos Etchechoury

ARG

115

Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ)

2011

G

I

T

Donna Logan & C Gibbs

NZ

Palace Prince (GER)

2012

H

M/I

T

Jean-Pierre Carvalho

115

Paulassilverlining (USA)

2012

M

S

D

Chad Brown

USA

115

Wow Cat (CHI)

2014

F

I/L

D

Carlos Urbina

CHI

115

Perbene (BRZ)

2012

H

S

T

Ad Menegolo

BRZ

115

Zelzal (FR)

2013

C

M

T

Jean-Claude Rouget

FR

115

Zhukova (IRE)

2012

M

L

T

Dermot Weld

IRE

115

Permian (IRE)

2014

C

L

T

Mark Johnston

GB

115

Popocatepetl (JPN)

2014

C

E

T

Yasuo Tomomichi

JPN

115

Postponed (IRE)

2011

H

L

T

Roger Varian

GB

Italicised horses

115

Practical Joke (USA)

2014

C

S

D

Chad Brown

USA

115

Prized Icon (AUS)

2013

C

M

T

James Cummings

AUS

Horses listed in italics are the highest-rated in a specific category but achieved a higher rating in another category

115

Prize Money (GB)

2013

G

L

T

Saeed Bin Suroor

UAE

Renamed horses

115

Profitable (IRE)

2012

H

S

T

Clive Cox

GB JPN

1115

Queens Ring (JPN)

2012

M

L

T

Keiji Yoshimura

115

Queen’s Trust (GB)

2013

F

I

T

Sir Michael Stoute

GB

115

Quiet Reflection (GB)

2013

F

S

T

Karl Burke

GB

115

Ransom The Moon (CAN)

2012

H

S

D

Phillip d’Amato

USA

Beauty Only raced in Italy as Gentleman Only Helene Paragon raced in France Sir Andrew Our Ivanhowe raced in Ireland as Ivanhowe Rapper Dragon raced in Australia as Street Rapper Amazing Kids raced in New Zealand as Cousin Colin

Beauty Generation raced in Australia as Montaigne Redkirk Warrior raced in Great Britain as Redkirk Joyful Trinity raced in France as Baghadur It’s Somewhat raced in Great Britain as Somewhat Western Express raced in Australia as Cardless Cash English raced in Australia as Herend Exospehric raced in Great Britain as Exosphere The Taj Mahal raced in Ireland as Taj Mahal

16

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 racingpost.com