CALANDAGAN (IRE) [130], who was victorious in four top level races across three countries, has won the title of 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse.
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings
Leading Horses
click here for complete rankings
|
| Rank |
Horse |
Rating |
Trained |
| 1 |
CALANDAGAN (IRE) |
130 |
FR |
| 2 |
FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) |
128 |
JPN |
| 2 |
KA YING RISING (NZ) |
128 |
HK |
| 2 |
MASQUERADE BALL (JPN) |
128 |
JPN |
| 2 |
OMBUDSMAN (IRE) |
128 |
GB |
| 2 |
SOVEREIGNTY (USA) |
128 |
USA |
| 7 |
DARYZ (FR) |
127 |
FR |
| 7 |
ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) |
127 |
HK |
| 7 |
SIERRA LEONE (USA) |
127 |
USA |
Calandagan earned his rating in the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1), where he defeated OMBUDSMAN (IRE) [128] by 2 ¼ lengths. Following that effort, Calandagan went on to beat MASQUERADE BALL (JPN) [128] by a head in the Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1). Earlier in the year, Calandagan won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1).
On a rating of 128, Ombudsman and Masquerade Ball share the title of second highest rated horse in the world for 2025 with three other horses. Ombudsman received his rating for winning both the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) and Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), while Masquerade Ball, who won the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) one start before the Japan Cup, earned his with his runner up effort to Calandagan.
They are joined by FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) [128], who earned his rating in winning both the Saudi Cup (G1) and Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1); sprinter KA YING RISING (NZ) [128], who achieved that mark in four separate races; and SOVEREIGNTY (USA) [128], who received that rating after his wins in both the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and DraftKings Travers Stakes (G1).
Three horses share the co-seventh position in the rankings. DARYZ (FR) [127] earned his rating by winning the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1). Meanwhile, ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) [127] and SIERRA LEONE (USA) [127] both achieved their highest rating with runner up efforts behind Forever Young, which came in the Saudi Cup and Breeders’ Cup Classic, respectively.
Rounding out the Top 10 are five equally rated horses: DANON DECILE (JPN) [125], DELACROIX (IRE) [125], FIELD OF GOLD (IRE) [125], FIERCENESS (USA) [125], and JAN BRUEGHEL (IRE) [125].
Overall, 279 horses, trained in 16 different countries, were rated 115 or higher. The full list and further information on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website ifhaonline.org.
* * * * * *
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
* * * * * *
The full list and further information on the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are available on the IFHA website http://www.ifhaonline.org.
E-Mail: achesser@jockeyclub.com
About Longines
Based in Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaking company Longines wields expertise steeped in tradition, elegance and performance. With generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships, and as partner of international sports federations, Longines has built strong and long-lasting relationships in the world of sport over the years. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd., the world’s leading watch manufacturer. The Longines brand, with its winged hourglass emblem, is established in over 150 countries.
Longines International Communications: publicrelations@longines.com
All press material is available on mediacenter.longines.com.
About IFHA
The IFHA is a federation of more than 60 racing authorities from different countries and regions in the world. It is the global leader for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing, seeking to promote all facets of the worldwide sport; protect the welfare of the equine and human athlete; and protect and grow its global social and economic significance for current and future generations.
Major areas of the IFHA’s activities include:
- Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering
- Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
- International race planning and grading (“black type”)
- World rankings
- The fight against equine prohibited substances and practices
- Harmonisation of racing rules
- Certification of IFHA reference laboratories
- Fostering commercial development of the racing industry globally
The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
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