CROIX DU NORD (JPN) [122] and MAGNITUDE (USA) [122] have joined the Top 5 in the second edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2026.
LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings
Leading Horses
click here for complete rankings
|
| Rank |
Horse |
Rating |
Trained |
| 1 |
KA YING RISING (NZ) |
128 |
HK |
| 2 |
ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) |
124 |
HK |
| 3 |
FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) |
123 |
JPN |
| 4 |
CROIX DU NORD (JPN) |
122 |
JPN |
| 4 |
MAGNITUDE (USA) |
122 |
USA |
| 4 |
ROYAL CHAMPION (IRE) |
122 |
GB |
Croix du Nord and Magnitude equaled Royal Champion in the co-fourth position on a rating of 122. In his first start of the year, Croix du Nord earned his rating by defeating MEISHO TABARU (JPN) [120] and DANON DECILE (JPN) [118] in the Osaka Hai (G1).
Meanwhile, Magnitude raised his rating to 122 from 117 with his one-length victory over FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) [123] in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1). Magnitude came into the race having won the Razorback Handicap (G3) in February.
Several others impressed in Dubai as well to join the Top 10. CALANDAGAN (IRE) [121], the 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse, made his first start of the season a winning one when he took the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). OMBUDSMAN (IRE) [120], who was also making his first start of 2026, won the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1).
Elsewhere, undefeated AUTUMN GLOW (AUS) [120] continued her winning streak in The Agency George Ryder Stakes (G1), raising her rating to 120 from 117. She is currently the highest rated filly/mare in the world.
Editor’s note: The current ratings reflect performances from 3-year-olds and upwards
which raced between 1st January and 5th April 2026. Races from Easter Monday, 6 April, will be reflected in the next rankings release.
* * * * * *
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:
Greg Carpenter, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee
Head of Racing Product, The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Telephone +852 2966 5901
Email greg.carpenter@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.
The next edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings will be
published on Thursday 14th May 2026.
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