World’s Best Racehorse Rankings: Winx Stays On Top; Justify Fourth

Source:  Edited Press Release

WINX (AUS) [130] remains the highest-rated horse in the world, followed by GUN RUNNER (USA) [129] and CRACKSMAN (GB) [125], in the fourth edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2018.

Of the Top 5 horses, two raced over the course of the last month. Cracksman took the Investec Coronation Cup (G1), while JUSTIFY (USA) [124] won both the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) to become the 13th Triple Crown winner in the United States. Justify’s rating is based on his performance in the Kentucky Derby May 5.

Winx’s rating came courtesy of her victory in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. It was her 25th straight victory and the 18th Group 1 win of her career. Gun Runner earned his rating in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational in late January.

 

Leading the list of changes to this edition of the ratings is HARRY ANGEL (IRE) [122], who won the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes (G2) by two lengths in his seasonal debut.

ACCELERATE (USA) [121] and MASAR (IRE) [121] are also new to this year’s rankings and sit just behind Harry Angel. Accelerate has won three of his four starts this year, including the Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (G1) last out. In March, he took the Santa Anita Handicap Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1).

Masar, meanwhile, notched his first victory at the highest level when he won the Investec Derby (G1) by 1 ½ lengths.

Additionally, CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB) [120] is ranked after winning the Al Rayyan Stakes (G3) by six lengths at Newbury, as is MIND YOUR BISCUITS (USA) [120], who won the Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1) in March and finished a close second in his return in the Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1).

LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings

Leading Horses

Rank Horse Rating Trained
1 WINX (AUS) 130 AUS
2 GUN RUNNER (USA) 129 USA
3 CRACKSMAN (GB) 125 GB
4 JUSTIFY (USA) 124 USA
4 WEST COAST (USA) 124 USA
6 BENBATL (GB) 123 UAE
6 HAPPY CLAPPER (AUS) 123 AUS
6 THUNDER SNOW (IRE) 123 UAE
6 TRAPEZE ARTIST (AUS) 123 AUS