2019 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Summary

Three horses have jointly earned the title of LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse for 2019, a first since the award was created in 2013. Equally rated at 128, CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB) [128], ENABLE (GB) [128], and WALDGEIST (GB) [128] share the 2019 title after a year of compelling competition.

The trio of European runners competed against each other throughout the year, trading victories as they did so. Crystal Ocean won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1), while Waldgeist was third; Enable beat Crystal Ocean by a neck in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (G1) with Waldgeist in third; and Waldgeist turned the tables on Enable when he defeated her in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).

Ultimately, Crystal Ocean earned his rating in the King George, as he was carrying 3lbs more than Enable; Enable received her rating for her dominating victory in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1); and Waldgeist achieved his rating following the Arc.

Fourth position is held by Hong Kong champion BEAUTY GENERATION (NZ) [127]. A powerhouse at the beginning of 2019, he reeled off five consecutive victories from January to October, including the Celebration Cup (G3). Beauty Generation carried 133lbs in that handicap, spotting his rivals up to 20lbs, to earn his rating.

Four horses from around the globe share fifth place after being equally rated at 126. BATTAASH (IRE) [126] impressed in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (G1); GHAIYYATH (IRE) [126] took the LONGINES Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) by 14 lengths; LYS GRACIEUX (JPN) [126] closed out the year in style in the Arima Kinen (G1); and VINO ROSSO (USA) [126] was victorious in the LONGINES Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) to sit in the co-fifth position.

The Top 10 for 2019 is rounded out by three horses in co-ninth place after each being rated at 125. BENBATL (GB) [125] romped in the Shadwell Joel Stakes (G2); GLORY VASE (JPN) [125] lived up to his name in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (G1); and the mighty WINX (AUS) [125], the 2018 co-Longines World’s Best Racehorse, earned her highest rating of 2019 in the TAB Chipping Norton Stakes (G1).

Overall, 296 horses, trained in 17 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.

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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

Head of Handicapping, Race Planning and International Racing, Hong Kong Jockey Club

Telephone +852 2966 8337

Email nigel.c.gray@hkjc.org.hk

Phillip Smith, co-chairman, LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee

Email phil@phillipsmithconsulting.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

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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