THE LONGINES WORLD’S BEST RACEHORSE RANKINGS

The official listing of the world’s best racehorses

(For 3yos and upwards which raced between 1st January and 8th March 2026)

 

Sprinting sensation KA YING RISING (NZ) [128] leads the first edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2026.

 

 

 

 

Ka Ying Rising began the year with a 1 1/4 length victory over HELIOS EXPRESS (AUS) [117] in the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1). He then defeated that same rival by 3 1/2 lengths in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1). Ka Ying Rising has now won 18 consecutive races.

 

ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) [124] is currently the second highest rated horse in the world. He started 2026 by winning the Stewards' Cup (G1) by 1 3/4 lengths over LUCKY SWEYNESSE (NZ) [118]. In his next start, Romantic Warrior won the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) by four lengths over Ensued (USA).

 

FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) [123] is ranked third, following his victory in the Saudi Cup (G1). In his seasonal debut, Forever Young defeated NYSOS (USA) [121] by a length to take the Saudi Cup for the second time.  Nysos is the fifth highest rated horse off of his effort.

Taking the fourth spot is ROYAL CHAMPION (IRE) [122]. In his first start of the year, Royal Champion defeated Facteur Cheval (IRE) by 4 3/4 lengths in the Neom Turf Cup Presented by Howden (G1).

 

 

 

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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:

 

 

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

 

 

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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.

 

The next edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings will be

published on Thursday 9^th April 2026.

 

E-Mail: achesser@jockeyclub.com