The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (LWBRR), known as World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings (WTRR) before 2012, are horseracing's equivalent to World Rankings by other major sporting organizations such as ATP Tennis Rankings, World Golf Rankings, FIFA World Rankings for soccer and IRB Rugby World Rankings. The Longines Rankings are based on the rating earned by horses running worldwide from North and South America, Europe, Middle East, South Africa, Asia through to Australia and New Zealand.
The ratings are compiled under the auspices of The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) by racing officials & handicappers representing the five continents who compile the ranking order by agreeing on the rating for each horse. The ratings are based on the performance of horses in elite races held during the designated period which takes in account the quality of opposition and achievements of each horse. The annual rankings denote the champions in the various distance categories for example sprint or mile, surface either turf or dirt/artificial and also the fillies & mares category.
According to the IFHA website, "The IFHA World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are the official assessment of the top performers." In 1977, France, Great Britain and Ireland published the first internationally agreed assessment of racing merit on behalf of the European Pattern Committee under the banner of the International Classifications. In 1985, Germany and Italy joined the system, to be followed by North America (both Canada and the United States) and Japan in the mid 1990s.
The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings measure a given horse's peak performance during the year. Throughout the year the Longines Rankings are published at regular intervals and the final annual rankings are released in January. The three highest-rated horses are honored during the Longines World's Best Racehorse and Longines World's Best Horse Race Ceremony.[1]
Related Awards[edit]The ratings for the horses also help establish two other awards: the aforementioned Longines World's Best Horse Race and the Longines World's Best Jockey. The Longines World's Best Horse Race award recognizes the best-rated race of the highest-rated Group 1 international races as established by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings of the top four finishers in each race serve as basis for the assessment. Introduced in 2015, the award was won by the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. The Breeders' Cup Classic won in 2016 and 2022, while the Juddmonte International won the title in 2020 and 2024. In 2023, the Japan Cup in association with Longines was named the World's Best Horse Race. Additionally, the IFHA releases the top 100 Group/Grade 1 races each year.[2]
The Longines World's Best Jockey[3] is named each December. The top 100 Group 1 and Grade 1 races serve as the base of this annual competition to recognize top jockeys throughout the world. Frankie Dettori has won the award four times, as he was named the Longines World's Best Jockey in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Ryan Moore has also won it four times, as he took the inaugural contest in 2014 as well as the 2016, 2021, and 2023 editions. James McDonald won the title in 2022 and 2024, while Hugh Bowman won the title in 2017.
World Championship[edit]International Federation of Horseracing Authorities was founded in 1961 and 1983 but now (2024) he not an official World Horse Racing Championship.[4][5][6][7][8][9] The federation features Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela as its main member countries. Algeria, Bulgaria, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan and Taiwan are additional member countries. Botswana, China, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Israel, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Namibia, Portugal, Ukraine and Zimbabwe signed the horse-riding agreement but did not become members.[citation needed]
Members of the IFHA[edit]The table contains information focusing on the member countries of the IFHA.[citation needed]
Country Club Main members Argentina Jockey Club (Buenos Aires) Australia Racing Australia Austria Direktorium für Galopprennsport und Vollblutzucht in Österreich Bahrain Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club Belgium Fèdèration Belge des Courses Hippiques ASBL Brazil Jockey Club BrasileiroJockey Club de São Paulo Canada Jockey Club of Canada Chile Club Hipigo de Santiago and Valparaiso Sporting Club Croatia Croatia Gallop Association Cyprus Cyprus Turf Club Czech Republic Jockey Club Ceske Republiky Denmark Danish Jockey Club France France Gallop Germany Direktorium für Vollblutzucht und Rennen Great Britain British Horseracing Authority Greece Jockey Club of Greece Hong Kong Hong Kong Jockey Club Hungary Kincsem Nemzeti KFR India Turf Authorities of India Ireland Horse Racing IrelandIrish Horseracing Regulatory Board Italy Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF)General Directorate for Horseracing Japan Japan Racing AssociationNational Association of Racing Korea Korea Racing Authority Lebanon SPARCA Malaysia Malayan Racing Association Mauritius MTC Sports and Leisure Ltd. (MTCSL) Mexico Jockey Club Mexicano Netherlands NDR New Zealand New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Inc. Norway Galopp Panama Hipica de Panama S.A. Peru Jockey Club del Peru Philippines Philippine Racing Commission Poland Polski Klub Wyscigow Konnych Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Romania Romanian Jockey Club Saudi Arabia Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia Serbia Serbian Gallop Association Slovakia Turf Direktorium für die Slowakei Slovenia Slovenian Turf South Africa National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa Spain Jockey Club Español Sweden Svensk Galopp AB Switzerland Galopp Schweiz (IENA) Thailand Royal Bangkok Sports Club Tunisia Société des Courses de Tunis Turkey Jockey Club of Turkey United Arab Emirates Emirates Racing Authority United States Breeders' Cup / NTRAJockey Club (United States) Uruguay HRU S.A. Venezuela SUNAHIP Additional members Algeria — Bulgaria Morocco Oman Pakistan Taiwan Countries that signed the horse-racing agreement but did not become members Botswana — China Egypt Estonia Finland Iceland Israel Kuwait Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Namibia Portugal Ukraine Zimbabwe Top ranked horses[edit] Horse names are followed by a suffix indicating the country where foaled. Year Rating Horse Trained Race 2003 134 Hawk Wing (USA) Ireland Lockinge Stakes 2004 130 Ghostzapper (USA) United States Breeders' Cup Classic 2005 130 Hurricane Run (IRE) France Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2006 129 Invasor (ARG) United States Breeders' Cup Classic 2007 131 Manduro (GER) France Prince of Wales's Stakes 2008 130 Curlin (USA) United States Dubai World Cup / Stephen Foster Handicap 130 New Approach (IRE) Ireland Champion Stakes 2009 136 Sea The Stars (IRE) Ireland Irish Champion Stakes 2010 135 Harbinger (GB) Great Britain King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2011 136 Frankel (GB)[10] Great Britain Sussex Stakes 2012 140 Frankel (GB)[11] Great Britain Queen Anne Stakes / Juddmonte International Stakes 2013 130 Treve (FR) France Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 130 Black Ciar (AUS) Australia T J Smith Stakes 2014 130 Just A Way (JPN) Japan Dubai Duty Free 2015 134 American Pharoah (USA) United States Breeders' Cup Classic 2016 134 Arrogate (USA) United States Breeders' Cup Classic 2017 134 Arrogate (USA) United States Dubai World Cup 2018 130 Cracksman (GB) Great Britain Champion Stakes 130 Winx (AUS) Australia Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ATC) 2019 128 Crystal Ocean (GB) Great Britain Prince of Wales's Stakes 128 Enable (GB) Great Britain King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 128 Waldgeist (GB) France Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2020 130 Ghaiyyath (IRE) Great Britain International Stakes 2021 129 Knicks Go (USA) United States Breeders' Cup Classic 2022 140 Flightline (USA) United States Pacific Classic 2023 135 Equinox (JPN) Japan Japan Cup 2024 128 City of Troy (USA) Ireland International Stakes 128 Laurel River (USA) United Arab Emirates Dubai World Cup See also[edit] Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association List of horse races Dubai World Cup Night Dubai World Cup Breeders' Cup 1000 Guineas Stakes 2000 Guineas Stakes Yuga Kawada Tōkyō Yūshun Champions Cup (horse race) British Champions Series List of horse racing venues List of horse racing venues by capacity Horse racing in Great Britain Jockey List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses References[edit] ^ "International Federation of Horseracing Authorities". ^ "The LONGINES World's Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races for 3yos and upwards - 2018". Retrieved 23 September 2023. ^ "International Federation of Horseracing Authorities". ^ "International Federation of Horseracing Authorities". www.ifhaonline.org. Retrieved 12 March 2024. ^ "International Federation of Horseracing Authorities". www.ifhaonline.org. Retrieved 10 May 2024. ^ "How a horse racing Olympics could work to make the sport better". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 May 2024. ^ "Saudi Arabia To Launch Horse Racing Championship To Rival Breeders' Cup, Dubai World Cup". Paulick Report | Shining Light on the Horse Industry. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2024. ^ "When the Breeders' Cup isn't the be-all and end-all of championship racing | Topics: Washington DC International, Xtra Heat, Breeders' Cup, Let's Elope". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. Retrieved 10 May 2024. ^ Finnegan, William (15 May 2021). "Can Horse Racing Survive?". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 10 May 2024. ^ The World Thoroughbred Rankings - 1st February 2011 to 31st July 2011 Retrieved 12 Aug 2011 ^ 2012 WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS External links[edit] International Federation of Horseracing Authorities [1] vteWorld's Best Racehorse RankingsBiannual 2004 2004–05 2005 2005–06 2006 2006–07 2007 2007–08 Annual 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024