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WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS SPECIAL

It’s official – he was in a different league to the rest in 2009

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

2 Wednesday, January 13, 2010 racingpost.com

WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS

JUST a few weeks agohe was the best-ever,the horse of a lifetime,even a century. Now heis not even the best we

have seen in the past dozenyears – at least officially.

There was no Oscar-style‘whose name is in theenvelope?’ anticipation whenthe identity of the overallchampion was revealed in theWorld Thoroughbred Rankingsyesterday – having one horsewinning everything bar theEurovision Song Contest tendsto take the excitement out ofend-of-season awards – andthe question was not ‘who?’but ‘how high?’

‘Very high indeed’ wouldhave been the expectation ofanyone who read all thetributes to Sea The Stars on hisretirement, as the great andthe good queued up to findsuperlatives for the colt whocaptured every imagination ashe went unbeaten from the2,000 Guineas to the Prix del’Arc de Triomphe. And therating of 136 which theinternational panel ofhandicappers came up with isa very high one, the best so farthis century and 6lb above lastyear’s joint table-toppersCurlin and New Approach.

Yet not that high. The three-year-old hailed as ‘the best Ihave ever seen’ by brightminds ranging from HRI chiefexecutive Brian Kavanagh toBBC polymath Clare Balding is1lb behind French star PeintreCelebre, who was very good in1997 but is not remembered ashaving quite the same je nesais quoi or even va va voomand would be odds-on to comeout second-best in a straw pollranking the two, even oneconducted among cheese-eating, beret-wearingJean-Marie Le Pen fans.

David Carr on therankings that failed to ratethe dual Classic winner ashigh as many expected

Panel struggles torate Oxx star higherthan fourth best

An insightinto how therankings areput together

FOR the second yearrunning, the WorldThoroughbredRankings – theannual league table

of horses rated 115 andabove – which arepublished today, has beendrawn up on the basis ofform shown at any time,anywhere, in the calendaryear 2009, writes HowardWright.

Until last year, for fouryears coveringperformances in 2005-08,two separate listings werepublished, in January andAugust. The first coveredhorses raced or trained incountries that operated tonorthern hemisphereseasons, from January toDecember, and wasdominated by horses fromEurope, the USA andJapan. The second appliedthe same qualifications tosouthern hemispherecountries, whose seasonsmainly run from August toJuly, and largely featuredhorses raced or trained inAustralia, Hong Kong, theUAE and South Africa.

The original changecame about in 2004, whenthe InternationalFederation of HorseracingAuthorities took overresponsibility for whathad been known as theInternationalClassifications since 1977.

An attempt was made toclear up confusion bycompensating fordifferences in the racingseasons of the twohemispheres, sincesouthern hemisphereracing jurisdictions inparticular felt the merit oftheir best horses was notfairly represented in thetraditional Januaryclassification, which camemidway through theirseason.

However, furtherconfusion surfaced whenperformances such asthose by Makybe Diva inthe early NovemberMelbourne Cup and SacredKingdom in December’sHong Kong Sprint escapedthe January listing, andwere not formallyassessed until thefollowing August, by whichtime northern hemispherehorses were halfwaythrough another season.

Last year, after southernhemisphere countriesaccepted the need for asingle annual listing, theIFHA went back to theoriginal calendar-yearformat.

A new title was alsoadopted by dropping theword ‘racehorse’ from thetag World ThoroughbredRacehorse Rankings thathad been used since 2004.

Since the last annualrankings were publishedin January 2009, WorldThoroughbred Rankingsdetailing the top 50 horseson ratings achieved in theprevious six months havebeen published on sevenoccasions.

Details are available onthe IFHA website,ifhaonline.org

World Thoroughbred RankingsTop-ranked horses

Turf Dirt/Artificial

Champion Sea The Stars 136 Zenyatta 128

4yo+ colt Conduit/Youmzain 125 Fabulous Strike/Kodiak Cowboy 120

4yo+ filly Goldikova 130 Zenyatta 128

3yo colt Sea The Stars 136 Summer Bird 123

3yo filly Stacelita 122 Rachel Alexandra 127

2yo Euro colt St Nicholas Abbey 124 Vale Of York 118

2yo Euro filly Special Duty 117 –

Four-year-olds+Sprint Sacred Kingdom/Scenic Blast 122 Fabulous Strike/Kodiak Cowboy 120

Mile Goldikova 130 Zenyatta 128

Intermediate Vision D’Etat 123 Zenyatta 128

Long Conduit/Youmzain 125 –

Extended Yeats 122 Cloudy’s Knight 128

Three-year-olds+Sprint Rocket Man 121 Quality Road/Zensational 119

Mile Rip Van Winkle 129 Rachel Alexandra 127

Intermediate Sea The Stars 136 Summer Bird 123

Long Sea The Stars 131 Summer Bird 121

Extended Mastery/Wajir 117 Man Of Iron 116

j j Distance categories:Sprint 5–6.5f (NthAm 5–7.9f); Mile 6.5–9.49f (NthAm 8–9.49f)Intermediate 9.5–10.5f; Long 10.51–13.5f; Extended 13.51f+j j The World Thoroughbred Rankings are published by the International Federation ofHorseracing Authorities. They cover 3yo+ rated 115+j j 3yo+ rated 114-110 (2yo 110+) on behalf of the European Pattern Committee arenot part of the World Rankingsj j The first European rankings were published in 1977; North America joined in 1995.Rankings include all countries from 2008

since the current ratingssystem was introduced in the1970s, rather than languishingin fourth place overall withGenerous (137) also ahead ofhim, which is yet anotherreason to rue his retirement tostud – we will never knowquite how good he might havebeen.

B UT rather as RubyWalsh recentlydismissed talk ofKauto Star’s ratingbeing well adrift of

Arkle as ‘opinion’, soChristopher Tsui is decidedlyunlikely to lose much sleepover the handicappers’ verdictwhich is a matter solely for therecord books with stallionduties in the offing – he hadnot exactly been looking for amark to get him in the Lincoln,had he?

He knows his colours werecarried by something very, veryspecial, and any breeder whodecides not to use Sea TheStars because of his officialrating is not safe to be allowedin charge of a mare.

The ratings unveiled for thetwo-year-olds have more thanjust academic interest, partlyas they frame the weights forthe European Free Handicaprun over 7f at Newmarket inApril.

Imagine if runaway RacingPost Trophy winner St Nicholas

Abbey were to turn up on theRowley Mile and defy his markof 124, giving away lumps ofweight to smart rivals over ashorter trip than at Doncasterand on likely better ground,then we would know we reallyhad another superstar on ourhands.

It won’t happen. He isprobably more likely to run inthe Triumph Hurdle than theFree Handicap! But thejuvenile rankings are seen as asignpost to the Classics, andthose who have backed himinto favouritism for both the2,000 Guineas and Derbyought be aware that in thisdecade his rating has beenbettered only by NewApproach – who had a finethree-year-old season –Johannesburg and Fasliyev.

And the fact that he is one ofonly two to be rated above 120suggests either that his is acrop short of top-notchers orthat there are plenty ofpotential improvers among nofewer than 56 with a markhigher than 110.

Remember, this time lastyear Sea The Stars was lurkingin 26th place on 112.

The rise of another of thesport’s biggest stars to the topof the table gives a cause forcongratulations to that much-maligned bunch the racingauthorities.

Their decision a few yearsago to expand opportunitiesfor the top fillies so as toencourage them to stay intraining has been made to lookinspired by the exploits ofcrack miler Goldikova.

She returned better thanever at the age of four and atthe end of another Breeders’Cup-winning season she is ona mark of 130, making her thehighest-rated filly since BosraSham and the first of her sexto be ranked the top olderhorse around since Miesque.

It was a good year for thegirls on the other side of theAtlantic too, as unbeatenBreeders’ Cup Classic winnerZenyatta (128) was rated thebest American filly or maresince the rankings wereexpanded to include the USAin 1995, and Rachel Alexandra(127), who is five from five inGrade 1 company, the bestthree-year-old filly anywheresince Bosra Sham.

But that is not what theinternational handicappers’panel has done. As theyexplain in their ‘statement ofhandicapping practice’, usingthe paraphrased words ofGeoffrey Gibbs, the WorldThoroughbred Rankings “arenow a retrospectivemeasurement of performances,not necessarily the inherentability of a particularthoroughbred”.

While those two things maybe synonymous for an exposedhandicapper who has run fourdozen times and whose meritis fully established, they can bedifferent for top-level horseswho tend to be much moresparingly campaigned, whosegreat talent means they oftendon’t need to give of their bestto win and whose innateability can be very hard tojudge.

So it was the form of PeintreCelebre’s astonishing Prix del’Arc de Triomphe win thatfully earned him a mark of 137in the then InternationalClassifications, scoring by fullyfive lengths from Pilsudski,who was good enough to land

the Japan Cup, ChampionStakes and its Irish equivalentthat year, with another twoand a half back to Borgia, whowent very close in theBreeders’ Cup Turf next timeout.

Whereas what wasbreathtaking about Sea TheStars’ win in the same race lastOctober was the way he camefrom a decidedly unpromisingposition and showed such anamazing burst of speed, ratherthan the intrinsic merit of atwo-length beating ofYoumzain.

Similarly at Newmarket, atEpsom, at Sandown, at Yorkand at Leopardstown – whichwas where he achieved hishighest rating in the IrishChampion Stakes – he didcomfortably more than enoughto win and generally looked tohave something to spare. Butyou get nothing in this gamefor consistently high figures.

Chances are that had hebeen seriously pressed Sea TheStars might have been up torivalling the mark of 141which Dancing Brave earned in1986, the highest awarded

WAS PEINTRE CELEBRE BETTER THAN SEA THE STARS? VOTE ONLINE BY 5PM TODAY

World Sea The Stars 138

Turf Sea The Stars 138

Dirt/AW Gladiatorus 129

Europe Sea The Stars 138

Filly/mare Goldikova 121

4yo+ male Gladiatorus 129

4yo+ turf Goldikova 131

Older f/mare Goldikova 131

3yo c turf Sea The Stars 138

3yo c dirt/AW Summer Bird 127

3yo f turf Sariska 123

3yo f dirt/AW Rachel Alexandra 129

Eur 2yo c St Nicholas Abbey 123

Eur 2yo f Special Duty 117

Sprinter Sacred Kingdom 125

Miler Goldikova 131

1m2f Sea The Stars 138

Middle dist Sea The Stars 138

Stayer Yeats 125

Unless specified, ratings refer to anywherein the world on any surface in 2009

RPR CHAMPIONS 2009

Racing Post Wednesday, January 13, 2010 3SEA THE STARS AND CO: THE THREE-YEAR-OLDS, PAGE 4

THE WorldThoroughbredRankings bringconfirmation of whatwas an outstanding

year for top fillies, Goldikovabecoming the first of her sex totop the 4yo+ lists sinceMiesque in 1988 with a markof 130, while the unbeatenZenyatta (128) becomes thehighest-rated American-trainedmare since their inclusion in1995.

Goldikova was virtuallyassured of top spot after herbrilliant performance inwinning the Jacques le Maroisby six lengths last August. Herofficial mark makes her thebest of her sex since BosraSham was rated 131 in1996/97.

While the rest of her formdoesn’t quite match that level,she won both the PrixRothschild and Breeders’ CupMile (recording RPRs of 124 inboth) in such style that there’slittle doubt she’s deserving ofsuch a mark and recognition asone of the great fillies.

Goldikova and Zenyatta alsoheaded the 2008 lists as bestof their sex with marks of 125,and both stepped up on thatform last year, Zenyatta’s128 coming from herimpressive last-to-first successin the Breeders’ Cup Classic.Four previous successes lastyear hadn’t really told usanything new about her ability,as she confirmed her positionas by far the best of her sex onan artificial surface, but thisfirst start against the boysproved her the dominant forceon her favoured surface.

The clash between Zenyattaand star three-year-old fillyRachel Alexandra (WTR 127)never materialised, but maynot have proved satisfactory inany case given their best formwas on different surfaces.There does seem to have beena conscious decision to haveZenyatta the higher, though,4lb having been added to herBreeders’ Cup figure using theofficial marks for Gio Ponti(125) and Twice Over (123).It’s good that such allowancesare made, rather than thefigures being purelymathematical, but thiscompares with the 3lb addedto Sea The Stars’ Arc figureand suggests a desire to haveZenyatta rated above thethree-year-old.

The fluidity of ratings isdemonstrated by the treatmentof early rankings leaderGladiatorus. His impressivesuccess in the Dubai Duty Freewas initially rated 126, hadmoved up to 127 by earlysummer, but has now beendowngraded to 125. He clearlywasn’t the same horse afterand there has to be a bit ofdoubt over such a standout

performance, but there stillisn’t much wrong with theDubai form at face value.Runner-up Presvis won aGroup 1 in Hong Kong on hisnext start and third-placedAlexandros was beaten a nosein the Lockinge, and thedecision to downgrade waspossibly influenced by the 125allotted to leading turf coltsConduit and Youmzain.

This pair also demonstratethe continuity in the rankings,the King George and Breeders’Cup Turf winner repeating histhree-year-old mark andYoumzain reproducing his2008 mark of 125, having alsorated 124 in 2007. For ourmoney Youmzain wasn’t quiteat his best last year, returningan RPR of 125 when runner-up

in the Arc for the third time,having previously rated 128and 126.

Others to confirm thissolidity include Queen Annewinner Paco Boy (124) andKing George runner-up TartanBearer (122), both repeatingtheir three-year-old marks from2008, while Pipedreamerproved a good guide to topdomestic form in againreturning a mark of 118.Another of note is Getaway,who gained deserved Group 1success in his native Germanylast year without needing toshow improved form; he israted 122 in the latestrankings compared to 121 and122 from the previous twoyears.

HAVING had to settlefor a share ofstaying honourswith stablemateSeptimus last year

(though not on RPRs) with hismark of 122, a repeat seesYeats recognised as outrightChampion Stayer forsurprisingly the first time. Alsorunner-up to Septimus in the2007 rankings and DeepImpact in 2006, Yeats finallygets deserved recognition as anoutstanding stayer in hisretirement year. An admirableracehorse, he has returnedofficial marks of between 120and 122 in the last fiverankings, which mirrors hisRPRs through that period ofbetween 124 and 126.

Sprinting honours are sharedby Sacred Kingdom andScenic Blast with a mark of122, the Hong Kong Championhaving rated outright turfChampion on 123 last yearand de facto World Champion(123) in 2007 when southernhemisphere-trained horseswere excluded from the end ofyear rankings. That’s aremarkable record for asprinter to carry his form overthree campaigns and, althoughofficial figures mirror RPRs insuggesting he wasn’t quite athis peak last year, the mannerof last year’s two Group 1successes suggests the abilitymay still be there and he’sprobably the best around.

RPRs have Scenic Blast

narrowly ahead of SacredKingdom with marks of 127and 125 on last year’s form(Sacred Kingdom rated 129 atpeak), but like Gladiatorus’sDubai form, he’s comenowhere near repeating hisRoyal Ascot defeat ofsubsequent July Cup winnerFleeting Spirit. If there’s noupturn in America next year hemay need downgrading.

Looking ahead to theforthcoming season, it will be

interesting to see what TartanBearer can achieve granted aclear run at things. Heimproved with each run lastyear to eventually match hisDerby runner-up RPR of 125when chasing home stablemateConduit in the King George. Arematch with Frenchperformers Vision D’Etat andNever On Sunday, whom hesplit in the Prince Of Wales’sStakes, would be interesting.

A late mover up the rankings

was Mawatheeq, whoprogressed rapidly last autumnfrom a handicap win off 102 tosplit Twice Over and Sariska inthe Emirates Airline ChampionStakes and earn his WTRfigure of 121.

The drop to 1m2f lookedagainst him there after hisimpressive Grosvenor CasinosCumberland Lodge Stakes win,and it would come as nosurprise were he to take higherrank this year.

Racing Post handicapperPaul Curtis with a look athow the older performersearned their figures

RPR Top 4Y0+ OverallGoldikova 131

Gladiatorus 129

Well Armed 128Zenyatta

Company 127ConduitGio PontiScenic Blast

Paco Boy 126

Aqlaam 125Macho AgainSacred KingdomTartan BearerTwice OverYeatsYoumzain

Goldikovarules ingolden erafor oldertop fillies

FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARDS

Topspeed Top 4Y0 EuropeGoldikova 131

Youmzain 125

Conduit 124

Kingsgate Native 122

Bronze Cannon 121Geordieland

Ask 120Dar Re MiTartan Bearer

Magadan 119Spanish MoonVision D’Etat

La Boum 118

Campanologist 117Laa RaybWar Artist

Alandi 116AqlaamBenbaunFamous Name


WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS

SEA THE STARS gainsdue recognition as anoutstanding championwith a WorldThoroughbred

Rankings figure of 136,officially rating him the besthorse of the decade, 2lb aheadof Dubai Millennium in 2000,and the best since PeintreCelebre’s 137 in 1997.

That’s a position with whichwe generally concur, althoughour rating of 138 goes a littlefurther in ranking Sea TheStars the best three-year-oldsince Racing Post Ratingsbegan, and joint-best turfhorse alongside 1999Champion Daylami.

Those who hailed Sea TheStars an all-time great mayquibble with his official mark,ranking him as it does onlyninth-best since classificationsbegan, but historiccomparisons are undoubtedlyflawed – six of those ratedabove him achieved theirfigure in the first ten years ofthe emerging, Euro-basedclassification. The parametersfor inclusion in the rankingshave changed a number oftimes since, and there’s nodoubt that the WTR havebecome compressed sinceNorth American horses werefirst included in 1995, whilemodern handicappers are a farmore questioning bunch.

The fallibility of suchcomparisons is perhaps bestillustrated by looking at theaverage rating of the OverallChampions for each of the pastthree decades – 135.4 for the1980s, slipping to 133.5 forthe 1990s and down to 131.4for the past decade. In thiscontext Sea The Stars’ rating of136 is all the more meritorious

and, given the current level offigures, probably barescomparison with those loftyfigures awarded the earlychampions.

As was the case on the tracklast year, Rip Van Winkle (129)and Fame And Glory (128)follow Sea The Stars home inthe three-year-old rankings andserve to underline hisbrilliance.

Take Sea The Stars out ofthe form book and we’d behailing the Ballydoyle duostrong champions in their ownright if we overlook their late-season reverses. Rip VanWinkle would have been aclearcut winner of the Coral-Eclipse, and he would havefollowed up with easy wins inthe BGC Sussex and QueenElizabeth II Stakes, whileFame And Glory would haveheaded to the Arc anoutstanding unbeaten dualDerby winner. All being well,the pair will get the chance tounderline Sea The Stars’ formthis year.

Sea The Stars had top spotpretty much secured after theEclipse, but his top ratingcomes from the TattersallsMillions Irish Champion whencomfortably beating Fame And

Glory and Mastercraftsman.Here was another Ballydoylecolt whose record would lookmuch the better but for SeaThe Stars and whose lengthsecond to him in theJuddmonte International – arace run in a good time despiteit being effectively a match –looks to have been ratherdevalued with an official markof 124 (RPR 129).

The official handicappershave actually done well to getSea The Stars as high as theyhave on their figures. The 8lbgap to Fame And Glory is 3lbmore than the regulation 5lballowance for the two-and-a-half-length margin, showingthat it’s not all slide rule stuffand there is an attempt tointerpret the result to reflect ahorse’s true superiority.

America had a star three-year-old of its own last year intop filly Rachel Alexandra.In an ordinary year her markof 127, 4lb ahead of star 2007filly Rags To Riches, wouldhave made her distaffchampion outright. But thiswas no ordinary year for filliesand mares, with older starsGoldikova (130) and EclipseAwards rival Zenyatta (128)both rated above her, and

Goldikova becoming thehighest-rated filly or maresince Bosra Sham (131) in1996/97.

As was the case with SeaThe Stars, ratings can only goso far in ranking theseoutstanding performers whocan boast quantity as well asquality. These were no one-hitwonders with the Americanpair mirroring Sea The Stars ingoing through 2009 unbeaten,Rachel Alexandra rating thebest American-trained three-year-old filly and Zenyatta bestAmerican-trained filly or mareoutright since their inclusion in1995.

We have the American pairthe other way around, withRachel Alexandra on 129 andZenyatta on 128. Having racedalmost exclusively on differentsurfaces, splitting them isn’teasy, but the little collateralform there is just gives Rachelthe nod. It will be interestingto see which way the vote goesin the Eclipse Awards nextweek.

Top spot among the three-year-old fillies on turf goes theway of Stacelita, who retainsher post-Prix de Diane figureof 122 despite failing to repeatthat in two autumn runs. She

is ranked 2lb superior toSariska and Midday.

This is another area wherewe differ slightly. RPRs mirrorthe official figures awardedStacelita and Midday, but wehave Sariska above the pair on123 by dint of her impressiveDarley Irish Oaks success. LikeStacelita, Sariska failed torepeat that form in twosubsequent starts and it maybe that soft ground isimportant to her. However,having twice beaten Midday atEpsom and the Curragh, it’shard to see why she shouldn’trate above that rival. Similarly,later-season form involvingDar Re Mi suggests thereshouldn’t be the 2lb gapbetween her and Stacelita.

A LTHOUGH lacking astar domestically,2009 proved a goodyear in terms ofdepth for three-

year-olds, with a total of 23attaining the benchmark figureof 115+, the highest since2000. Pick of them was theprogressive Zacinto, wholooks deserving of his positionafter reversing Totesport.comCelebration Mile form withDelegator (121) when

chasing home Rip Van Winklein the Queen Elizabeth IIStakes.

Delegator, a mid-summerrecruit, rates Godolphin’shighest rated three-year-old onturf since Shamardal (125) in2005, but he won’t rate theirbest four-year-old going intonext season, with Arc thirdCavalryman (125) makingthe switch for the forthcomingcampaign. A typicallyprogressive colt for AndreFabre last year, he improvedwith pretty much every raceand there are similaritiesbetween his form and that ofDoyen, who went on tobecome 2004 turf championafter making the same switchat the end of his three-year-oldcampaign.

Mastery, third to Cavalrymanin the Juddmonte Grand Prixde Paris, proved a welcomedomestic Classic winner forGodolphin, their first sinceRule Of Law in 2004. But,while he rates a slightly below-par winner with a mark of117, the other domesticClassics stood up well.

Clearly, the presence of SeaThe Stars had something to dowith that, but the fillies’ raceswere up to scratch too. Sariskawas the best Oaks winner sinceOuija Board (120, 2004) andGhanaati a good 1,000Guineas winner. HerNewmarket performance mayonly have been of averagestanding, certainly comparedto that of Finsceal Beo twoyears ago, but there wasnothing ordinary about herperformance when followingup in the Coronation Stakesand she’s well worth herofficial mark of 118.

There may be no Sea TheStars but, with a number of120+ three-year-olds,including the likes of Rip VanWinkle, Fame And Glory,Cavalryman and Sariska set toreturn this year, there’s plentyto look forward to.

RPR Top 3YO OverallSea The Stars 138

Rip Van Winkle 132

Fame And Glory 131

Mastercraftsman 129Rachel Alexandra

Summer Bird 127

Cavalryman 125Quality RoadZacinto

Zensational 124

Courageous Cat 123DelegatorSariska

Gitana Hernando 122StacelitaWeiner Walzer

THREE-YEAR-OLDS

Paul Curtis comparesthe WTR with hisRacing Post Ratings forthe Classic generation

‘Take Sea TheStars out of theform book andwe’d be hailingthe Ballydoyleduo as strongchampions’

Topspeed Top 3YO EuropeSea The Stars 132

Mastercraftsman 130

Rip Van Winkle 127

Cavalryman 124

Fame And Glory 123

Delegator 121Total Gallery

Midday 120Sariska

Le Havre 119Silver Frost

Cashelgar 118High HeeledStacelita

Elusive Wave 117Gan AmhrasLord Shanakill

1996 Mark Of Esteem 136

1997 Peintre Celebre 137

1998 Intikhab 133

1999 Daylami 138

2000 Dubai Millennium 139

2001 Sakhee 135

2002 Rock Of Gibraltar 131

2003 Dalakhani, Hawk Wing 134

2004 Ghostzapper 135

2005 Hurricane Run, Ghostzapper 133

2006 Deep Impact 133

2007 Manduro 133

2008 Curlin, New Approach,

Raven’s Pass 131

Previous RPR ChampionsNational ChampionsIreland Sea The Stars 136

France Goldikova 130

USA Zenyatta 128

Britain Conduit/Youmzain 125

UAE Gladiatorus 125

Japan Company 122Dream Journey

Germany Getaway 122

Hong Kong Good Ba Ba 122Sacred Kingdom

Australia Scenic Blast 122So You ThinkViewed

South Africa Pocket Power 121

Singapore Rocket Man 121

Saudi Arabia Big City Man 119

Italy Turati 116

Norway Appel Au Maitre 114

Rip Van Winkle: would havebeen a worthy champion if

not for Sea The Stars

Racing Post Wednesday, January 13, 2010 5

A FTER theoutstandingachievements of SeaThe Stars it’sinevitable that the

two-year-old class of 2009 willcome under extra scrutiny.

Is there another superstarlurking among this year’sEuropean ThoroughbredRankings? Statisticallyspeaking it’s very unlikely, butchampion two-year-old SirNicholas Abbey certainlyhas the right attributes andmaintains the Irishstranglehold in this division,providing them with a fifthstraight top-rated juvenile.

The son of Montjeu isunbeaten in three starts,showing an improved level ofform from race to race,culminating in his mostimpressive performance in theRacing Post Trophy.

It’s that effort that earned St Nicholas Abbey hischampion two-year-old status,and an official mark of 124from the committee. Hissection-topping rating markshim down as the joint-fourth-best champion two-year-old ofthe past decade behindJohannesburg and NewApproach, who both earned a126, and Fasliyev (125).

There are mixed messagesabout the overall strength oflast year’s juveniles. Some 56horses earned rankings of 110or higher, one of the bettertotals of the past decade;however, just two of thoseearned rankings of 120 orhigher, only the second time inthe past decade that fewerthan three horses haveattained such a level of form.

This time last year, Sea TheStars was well hidden in therankings on a mark of 112 injoint 26th place, a level ofform that no fewer than 36horses have matched orbettered in this year’s FreeHandicap.

The other horse to make the120s was Passion For Gold(120), who just sneaked in byvirtue of his heavy-ground routof the Criterium de Saint-Cloud field in November.

Admittedly, it’s hard togauge accurately the truemerit of impressive end-of-season performances in badground, especially when thereis such emphasis on stamina,but here is an example of arace that may have beenoverestimated.

A Racing Post Rating of 118recognises Passion For Gold’swin as a much-improvedperformance, while reflectingthe lack of depth there was tothe race.

The bronze medal goes toJan Vermeer (119), whoalso earned his rating inFrance in November, this timein the Criterium Internationalat Saint-Cloud.

A fluent four-length defeatof the consistent EmeraldCommander (112) in deepground was clearly aperformance of quality, thoughonly time will tell how reliablethe form proves to be, withPrix Marcel Boussac winnerRosanara (114) clearly wellbelow form in third.

Canford Cliffs (118)provided one of the mostmemorable juvenileperformances of 2009 in theCoventry at Royal Ascot. Hegot close to that form again inthe Prix Morny behindArcano, the second of aquartet of horses rated 118.The others were Prix Jean-LucLagardere winner Siyouni andBreeders’ Cup Juvenile winner,Vale Of York.

It’s not hard to drawcomparisons between CanfordCliffs and Three Valleys, whorouted his Coventry field in2003 but never surpassed thatlevel again. Richard Hannon’sstar two-year-old is certainlyworth his mark but the

unbeaten Arcano, not seenagain after his narrowDeauville win, appeals as ahorse with a longer shelf life atthe top table.

Of the other 118-rated pair,Siyouni looks well worth hisrating given his improvedperformance on Arc day, asdoes Vale Of York, who islikely to race in the US thisyear.

It’s some time since eitherthe Middle Park or Dewhurstwinners did not make the topseven, but this year both havebeen rated on a mark of 117,which reflects the fact thatboth races lacked the starperformances that have almostbeen commonplace in recenttimes.

Perhaps Awzaan (117),who stretched his unbeatenrun to four when taking theMiddle Park, has been slightlyharshly dealt with in a yearwhere the second and third in

the rankings owe theirpositions to late-season wins indeep ground. Here is anunbeaten horse who keptbeating what was put in frontof him, including three Group2 winners at Newmarket.

A N RPR of 118demonstrates thereis little wrong withAwzaan’s officialfigure, but he is

deserving of a higher place inthe overall pecking order inour opinion. He sits joint thirdin the RPR table and looks thesort to do better again at three.

Similar comments areapplicable to some of theDewhurst principals, thoughperhaps not Beethoven, whoproduced an effort out ofkeeping with the balance of hisform when winning atNewmarket. His subsequentfailure to match that form atthe Breeders’ Cup, coupled

with the record of British andIrish two-year-olds that haveventured to the US in theirjuvenile year, strongly suggestshe’ll struggle to improve.

At the other end of thespectrum are Dewhurst runner-up, Fencing Master (116)and fourth-placed Steinbeck(115), who both came into therace unbeaten after just onerun. In running so well in afiercely competitive Group 1both stablemates markedthemselves down as potentialstars of 2010, to strengthenAidan O’Brien’s hand further.

Newmarket’s October Group 1 action did provide achampion though, in the shapeof Cheveley Park winnerSpecial Duty.

A ranking of 117 looks a fairreflection of her win but ratesher as joint-second-lowestchampion filly in the pastdecade, with onlyRumplestiltskin (116) earninga lower mark. That said, thefact she shares her place in thelist with subsequent tripleGroup 1 winner DivineProportions suggests it needn’thold her back.

One of the other standoutefforts of the year came fromJealous Again (115), whoromped away with the QueenMary at Royal Ascot for UStrainer Wesley Ward beforejoining Godolphin.

She has not been seen since,but the trail blazing tacticswhich worked so well for herand Windsor Castle winnerStrike The Tiger may ensurewe see a more global challengefor top-end British two-year-old races in the future. Thiscould have a lasting impact ontwo-year-old racing as weknow it.

LOWDOWN ON THE BEST TEN HORSES IN THE WORLD, PAGES 6-7TWO-YEAR-OLDS

RPR Top 2YO EuropeSt Nicholas Abbey 123Siyouni 119Awzaan 118BeethovenCanford CliffsJan VermeerPassion For GoldKingsfort 117Hearts Of FireFencing MasterPouncedSpecial DutyXtensionArcano 116ChabalRadioheadShowcasingSteinbeckVale Of York

Racing Post handicapperSimon Turner on howthe top juveniles earnedtheir figures

Could Ballydoylechart-topper benext superstarin the making?

Do you agree withthe WorldThoroughbredRankings for lastyear’s Flat stars?Relive the season’shighlights in our video feature andjudge for yourself

Featuring theexpert views ofRacing Post Ratings handicapper Paul Curtis and topPost writerLee Mottershead

BE IN THE KNOW

RANKINGS SPECIAL

COMINGTODAY ON RP

Topspeed Top 2YO EuropeBeethoven 118

Fencing Master 117Jan Vermeer

Xtension 116

Canford Cliffs 115Jealous AgainSteinbeck

Arcano 112Siyouni

Buzzword 110Joshua TreeLady Of The DesertShowcasing

Mister Manannan 109Music ShowOur Jonathan

Atasari 108Orpen GreySpecial DutyTaajub


WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS BEST IN THE WORLD

SEA THE STARS 136Best performance TattersallsMillions Irish Champion StakesOwner Christopher TsuiTrainer John Oxx, IrelandJockey Michael Kinane

Created history as he swept allbefore him in a record-breaking unbeaten three-year-old season that earned himcomparisons with the greatesthorses ever to have raced.

Looked good in beating hisown age group in the 2,000Guineas at Newmarket and theDerby at Epsom, but it waswhen he started taking on andbeating older rivals that heshowed his true, outstandingtalent.

Had to dig deep for victoryin the Coral-Eclipse atSandown and the JuddmonteInternational at York, butoozed class as he took the IrishChampion Stakes atLeopardstown by a verycomfortable two and a halflengths – his best performance,according to the WorldThoroughbred Rankings andRacing Post Ratings.

Showed an amazing turn ofspeed to come from adecidedly unpromisingposition in the Prix de l’Arc deTriomphe, becoming the firsthorse to win the Guineas,Derby and the Arc.

RPR verdict World champ,turf champ, champ 3yo,middle-distance An outstandingworld champion by any measure.

He completed the best unbeatenthree-year-old campaign since1899 and dominated every horsehe came up against, young or old,over trips from 1m to 1m4f. Hiseffortless Irish Champion Stakessuccess rates as the best three-year-old performance in RPRhistory.

GOLDIKOVA 130Best performance Prix du Harasde Fresnay-Le Buffard Jacques leMaroisOwners Wertheimer BrothersTrainer Freddie Head, FranceJockey Olivier Peslier

Top-notch French miler whoemulated compatriot Miesque,a former mount of her trainerFreddie Head, with back-to-back victories in the Breeders’Cup Mile.

Both wins at Santa Anitawere achieved with a brilliantturn of speed which earnedher success with something tospare, the latest comingdespite having the worst of thedraw on the outside.

Had recorded a Group 1 hat-trick earlier in 2009,landing the Falmouth Stakes atNewmarket, the PrixRothschild and the PrixJacques le Marois – a six-length romp and her bestperformance – both atDeauville, but raced too freelybehind a strong pace in the 7fPrix de la Foret at Longchamp.

RPR verdict Leading filly ormare, champ miler, championolder horse Four Group 1 wins lastterm, but the Prix Jacques le

Marois stands out on the figures.She was magnificent that day,pulling a massive six lengths clearof subsequent Prix du Moulinwinner Aqlaam, and the winningRPR of 131 ranks her as the bestfilly or mare in RPR history.Obviously, she therefore rates as avery worthy distaff champion in2009, even considering theunusually strong competition. HerPrix Jacques le Marois figure alsolanded her the leading older horsehonours on both official and RPRlists, but she shares the leadingmiler title with Rip Van Winkle onRPRs.

ZENYATTA 128Best performanceBreeders’ Cup ClassicOwners Mr & Mrs Jerome S MossTrainer John Shirreffs, USAJockey Mike Smith

Outstanding mare who did notmake her debut until theNovember of her three-year-old career, but developed intoan absolute superstar and wasretired undefeated in 14 races.

The first 13 of those wereagainst her own sex, seven ofthem in Grade 1 contestsincluding in the Breeders’ CupLadies’ Classic at Santa Anitain 2008.

She took on the colts for theone and only time whenreturned to Santa Anita for theBreeders’ Cup Classic 12months later and put up anastonishing display, missingthe break and having only onebehind her going into the finalturn, before powering home topass five rivals in the final

furlong and win a shadecomfortably.

RPR verdict Dirt/aw champ Careerrecord of 14 from 14 is mostimpressive, although the first 13 ofthose were restricted to her ownsex. She stepped up a notch whenrequired in the Breeders’ CupClassic on her final start, whengetting the better of leadingAmerican turf performer GioPonti. We’re yet to know how goodthe bare form is until Gio Pontibacks it up and, with that nigglingdoubt, the officials decided to ratethe winner for a rather generousthree-length margin of superiority.On all known form, Zenyattawould probably have the legs of thebest horses of either sex on asynthetic surface. There is littlebetween her and Rachel Alexandraon our figures, but for us it is the three-year-old who ranks as thebest non-turf performer.

RACHEL ALEXANDRA 127Best performance Kentucky OaksOwners Stonestreet Stables LLC &Harold McCormickTrainer Steve Asmussen, USAJockey Calvin Borel

Showed herself a remarkablethree-year-old filly as she ranaway with the Kentucky Oaksat Churchill Downs in May,coming home fully 20 lengthsclear. She then got the betterof the colts by becoming thefirst of her sex to win thePreakness, the second leg ofthe ‘Triple Crown’, since 1924,beating Kentucky Derbywinner Mine That Bird by alength at Pimlico.

And she went through the

rest of the season unbeaten,gaining notable victories in theHaskell Invitational (by sixlengths) at Monmouth Parkand the Woodward Stakes atSaratoga, but missed a clashwith Zenyatta in the Breeders’Cup as her owners did notwant to run her on the Pro-ride surface at Santa Anita.

RPR verdict Dirt/AW 3yo, 3yofilly Back in May her KentuckyOaks victory earned her a higherRPR than that of the KentuckyDerby winner – and that was anindicator of things to come. Shewas a league above every filly sheencountered in 2009 and when shetook on the colts, she beat themtoo. In the Haskell Invitational shewas six lengths too good forleading three-year-old dirt coltSummer Bird, and that piece ofform, along with a couple of otherpieces of form which haveabsolutely no upper-bound, permither the number one spot aboveZenyatta on the RPR dirt/AW list.

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY 124Best performance Racing Post TrophyOwners D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M TaborTrainer Aidan O’Brien, IrelandJockey Johnny Murtagh

Bought for 200,000gns as ayearling, this colt from thefamily of Group 1 winnersAristotle, Ballingarry andStarborough looked highlypromising in landing his firsttwo races, a maiden and theGroup 2 Beresford Stakes atthe Curragh. And he more than

confirmed that when steppedup in class for the Group 1Racing Post Trophy atDoncaster, quickening clear toscore by three and three-quarter lengths.

Recent Post winners HighChaparral, Brian Boru,American Post, Motivator andAuthorized all went on toClassic success and St NicholasAbbey is currently favourite forboth the 2,000 Guineas andthe Derby.

RPR verdict Champ 2yo Juveniledivision looked a bit of a muddleuntil this one came along andburnt off his Racing Post Trophyrivals at the end of October. Thatsuccess gave him a healthy leadover his contemporaries on boththe official and RPR lists, and herates a worthy two-year-oldchampion.

SPECIAL DUTY 117Best performance Cheveley Park StakesOwners Khalid AbdullahTrainerCriquette Head-Maarek, FranceJockey Stephane Pasquier

Top-class two-year-old fillywho is winter favourite to giveowner/breeder KhalidAbdullah a second victory inthe 1,000 Guineas after Winceback in 1999, and trainerCriquette Head-Maarek afourth after Ma Biche,Ravinella and Hatoof.

Beat the colts to land thePrix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte in July and was caught

WE ARE THECLASS OF 2009World ChampionSea the Stars 136

Euro ChampionSea The Stars 136

Champion femaleGoldikova 130

Dirt/AW ChampionZenyatta 128

Older Horse (4-Y-O +)Goldikova 130

Older Female (4-Y-O +)Goldikova 130

3-Y-OSea The Stars 136

3-Y-O Dirt/AWRachel Alexandra 127

3-Y-O FemaleRachel Alexandra 127

3-Y-O Female TurfStacelita 122

2-Y-O MaleSt Nicholas Abbey 124

2-Y-O FemaleSpecial Duty 117

SprinterSacred Kingdom/Scenic Blast 122

MilerGoldikova 130

Middle-DistanceSea The Stars 136

StayerYeats 122

Racing Post Wednesday, January 13, 2010 7REACHING THE DECISION ON HANDICAPPING, PAGE 9

CHAMPIONS

in the final strides by Arcanoin the Prix Morny at Deauvillethe following month.

Then scored an impressivevictory in the Group 1Cheveley Park Stakes atNewmarket, a fourth winner ofthe race for her trainer whosaid: “In my yard I havenothing that can go with her.She’s got the heart ofRavinella and the class of MaBiche and Pas De Response.She’s very special.”RPR verdict 2yo filly Had a stackof black-type scorers behind whenrunning away with the CheveleyPark Stakes on her final start andsplit a pair of smart colts the timebefore that. A solid championjuvenile filly.

STACELITA 122Best performance Prix de DianeOwners

M Schwartz & Ecurie MonasticTrainer Jean-Claude Rouget, FranceJockey Christophe Lemaire

Looked a very promising fillyin the spring and scored amost impressive all-the-waysix-length win on her step upto Group 1 company in thePrix Saint-Alary at Longchampin May.

Showed that was no flash inthe pan as she drewcomparisons with Zarkava bytaking the Prix de Diane(French Oaks) at Chantilly inJune, and she made it six winsfrom six races in the PrixVermeille at Longchamp –though she actually passed thepost in second place and wasawarded victory on thecontroversial disqualificationof Dar Re Mi.

Could manage only seventh

when taking on the colts in thePrix de l’Arc de Triomphe,leading briefly over a furlongout but finishing around fivelengths behind Sea The Stars.

RPR verdict 3yo turf filly Showedan awful lot of early promise, butZarkava comparisons turned out tobe wide of the mark after adisappointing conclusion to theseason. Her four-length Prix deDiane success was the piece ofform which sealed her top spot onthe official list of leading three-year-old turf fillies, but Irish Oaksheroine Sariska was best on RPRs.

YEATS 122Best performance Ascot Gold CupOwners Mrs John Magnier & Mrs David NagleTrainer Aidan O’Brien, IrelandJockey Johnny Murtagh

High class at middle distances

and won the 1m4f CoronationCup in 2005, but isoutstanding over staying tripsand made history by becomingthe first four-time winner ofthe Gold Cup at Royal Ascotlast June.

Ran very nearly as well ashe had ever done judged onRacing Post Ratings whengaining that fourth success atthe age of eight, scoring bythree and a half lengths fromPatkai who was half his age.

Well beaten on soft groundin the Irish St Leger at theCurragh, but ran a fair third inthe Prix du Cadran on Arc dayat Longchamp and was thenretired.

RPR verdict Stayer Fourthsuccessive Gold Cup victory rankshim as one of the greatest stayersof all time. His three-and-a-halflength win over Patkai in the 2009

renewal entitled him to the honourof outright staying champion onboth ORs and RPRs.

SACRED KINGDOM 122Best performance KrisFlyerInternational SprintOwner Sin Kang YukTrainer PF Yiu, Hong KongJockey Brett Prebble

Earned the nickname ‘TheHong Kong Bomb’ with astring of top efforts in hishome country, coming to widerattention when thrashing theoverseas raiders in the Group 1Sprint at the internationalmeeting at Sha Tin in 2007.

Gained his first overseasvictory in the KrisflyerInternational Sprint at Kranjiin Singapore last May butcould manage only fifth placebehind Art Connoisseur in theGolden Jubilee Stakes at Royal

Ascot the following month.Back home he saw off the

foreign challengers in theSprint at the internationalmeeting again in December.

RPR verdict Joint-champsprinter Looked an absoluteworldbeater a couple of seasonsago, and it was a shame he didn’tmake the journey over to RoyalAscot back then. He was injured in2008 and never quite regained thatold sparkle in 2009. He ranks asthe second-best sprinter in theworld by RPR last term judged onhis win in the KrisFlyerInternational Sprint. The officialsrate that race up alongside ScenicBlast’s King’s Stand, but we have it2lb off.

SCENIC BLAST 122Best performance King’s Stand StakesOwners Elio Anthony Galante & PartnersTrainer Daniel Morton, AustraliaJockey Steven Arnold

The latest top sprinter to comefrom Australia, who won theGroup 1 Coolmore LightningStakes over 5f at Flemington inJanuary and the 6f CrownNewmarket Handicap there inMarch.

He was highly impressive onhis British debut in the King’sStand Stakes at Royal Ascot inJune, giving his country a thirdvictory in the race in fouryears as he came home athree-quarters-of-a-lengthwinner from Fleeting Spiritdespite idling in front.

Sent off favourite to followup in the July Cup atNewmarket but could finishonly tenth behind FleetingSpirit, and also disappointed intwo subsequent appearances inJapan and Hong Kong.

RPR verdict Joint-champsprinter Showed good level ofability in two Group 1 sprints atFlemington early in the year beforepeaking in the King’s Stand. Wasbreathtaking that day insauntering away from the strongfield, who were headed bysubsequent July Cup winnerFleeting Spirit. He ranks as theclear sprint champion by RPR.Though he has failed to regain thatform, there’s no forgetting theimpression he left at Royal Ascot.

Pen portraits: David CarrRPR verdicts: Sam Walker

The best in the business(from left to right):

Sea The Stars, Zenyatta, St Nicholas Abbey, Yeats,

Goldikova, RachelAlexandra, Special Duty,

Sacred Kingdom, Stacelitaand Scenic Blast

8 Wednesday, January 13, 2010 racingpost.comWORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS

DefinitionsSprint: up to 6.5fMile: 6.5–9.49f(USA, Canada and Australasia:Sprint=up to 7f; Mile = 7.1f+)Intermediate: 9.5–10.5fLong: 10.51–13.5fExtended: 13.5f+

AbbreviationsC=Colt; F=Filly; M=Mare;G=Gelding; H=Horse

A=Artificial; D=Dirt;T=Turf; B=Turf & A/D

Ratings achieved on Turfunless A B or D indicated

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VIVA PATACAraced as ‘Comic Strip’ in GBFELLOWSHIPraced as ‘Walsburys Pride’ in NZ

jjContinues page 10

130 Goldikova (IRE) 4 F FR 130128A Zenyatta (USA) 5 M USA 128 128125 Conduit (IRE) 4 C GB 125A Gio Ponti (USA) 4 C USA 125 Gladiatorus (USA) 4 C UAE 125

Youmzain (IRE) 6 H GB 125124 Paco Boy (IRE) 4 C GB 124D Well Armed (USA) 6 G USA 124123 Presious Passion (USA) 6 G USA 123A Twice Over 4 C GB 123 Vision d’Etat (FR) 4 C FR 123122 Company (JPN) 8 H JPN 122 Dream Journey (JPN) 5 H JPN 122

Getaway (GER) 6 H GER 122 Good BA BA (USA) 7 G HK 122

Sacred Kingdom (AUS) 6 G HK 122 Scenic Blast (AUS) 5 G AUS 122

Tartan Bearer (IRE) 4 C GB 122 Viewed (AUS) 6 H AUS 122

Yeats (IRE) 8 H IRE 122121 Ask 6 H GB 121

Casual Conquest (IRE) 4 G IRE 121 Mawatheeq (USA) 4 C GB 121

Oken Bruce Lee (JPN) 4 C JPN 121 Pocket Power (SAF) 7 G SAF 121

Rocket Man (AUS) 4 G SIN 121120 Aqlaam 4 C GB 120

Collection (IRE) 4 G HK 120 Court Vision (USA) 4 C USA 120

Dar Re Mi 4 F GB 120 Deep Sky (JPN) 4 C JPN 120A Einstein (BRZ) 7 H USA 120D Fabulous Strike (USA) 6 G USA 120

Gloria de Campeao (BRZ)6 H FR 120 Justenuffhumor (USA) 4 C USA 120D Kodiak Kowboy (USA) 4 C USA 120 Never On Sunday (FR) 4 C FR 120

Presvis 5 G GB 120 Spanish Moon (USA) 5 H GB 120

Viva Pataca 7 G HK 120 Vodka (JPN) 5 M JPN 120

Whobegotyou (AUS) 4 G AUS 120 120119 Alandi (IRE) 4 C IRE 119D Albertus Maximus (USA) 5 H USA 119 All Silent (AUS) 6 G AUS 119

Apache Cat (AUS) 7 G AUS 119D Big City Man (USA) 4 C UAE 119

Bronze Cannon (USA) 4 C GB 119 Champs Elysees 6 H USA 119A Colonel John (USA) 4 C USA 119 119 Egyptian Ra (NZ) 8 G HK 119

Happy Zero (AUS) 5 G HK 119A Life Is Sweet (USA) 4 F USA 119D Macho Again (USA) 4 C USA 119 Matsurida Gogh (JPN) 6 H JPN 119

Quijano (GER) 7 G GER 119A Richard’s Kid (USA) 4 C USA 119

Screen Hero (JPN) 5 H JPN 119 Takeover Target (AUS) 10G AUS 119118 Archipenko (USA) 5 H UAE 118 California Flag (USA) 5 G USA 118

Cesare 8 G GB 118 Efficient (NZ) 6 G AUS 118D Espoir City (JPN) 4 C JPN 118 Fellowship (NZ) 7 G HK 118

Fleeting Spirit (IRE) 4 F GB 118 Heart Of Dreams (AUS) 4 G AUS 118 118D Icon Project (USA) 4 F USA 118A Informed Decision (USA)4 F USA 118

Jaguar Mail (JPN) 5 H JPN 118 Kasbah Bliss (FR) 7 G FR 118 118

Kingsgate Native (IRE) 4 G GB 118 Maldivian (NZ) 7 G AUS 118 118D Music Note (USA) 4 F USA 118 118 One World (AUS) 5 H HK 118

Pipedreamer 5 H GB 118 Pure Clan (USA) 4 F USA 118

Racing To Win (AUS) 7 G AUS 118 Regal Parade 5 G GB 118

Sahpresa (USA) 4 F FR 118 Sakura Mega Wonder (JPN)6 H JPN 118

Scenic Shot (AUS) 7 G AUS 118 Trincot (FR) 4 C FR 118

Typhoon Tracy (AUS) 4 F AUS 118Ventura (USA) 5 M USA 118A 118T

117 Adlerflug (GER) 5 H GER 117 Alamosa (NZ) 5 H AUS 117D Asiatic Boy (ARG) 6 H UAE 117 117 City Leader (IRE) 4 C GB 117

Cowboy Cal (USA) 4 C USA 117 Danleigh (AUS) 6 G AUS 117 117

Duncan 4 C GB 117 Eastern Anthem (IRE) 5 H GB 117

Famous Name 4 C IRE 117 117 Faridat (USA) 4 C JPN 117

Forever Together (USA) 5 M USA 117 Geordieland (FR) 8 H GB 117

Grand Couturier 6 H USA 117 Gris de Gris (IRE) 5 H FR 117

J J The Jet Plane (SAF) 5 G GB 117 Joy And Fun (NZ) 6 G HK 117

Kip Deville (USA) 6 H USA 117 Loup Breton (IRE) 5 H FR 117

Lucky Secret (AUS) 6 G AUS 117 Main Aim 4 C GB 117

Marsh Side (USA) 6 H USA 117 Meiner Kitz (JPN) 6 H JPN 117

Mic Mac (AUS) 4 G AUS 117 117 Monterey Jazz (USA) 5 H USA 117

Patkai (IRE) 4 C GB 117 Predatory Pricer (AUS) 4 C AUS 117 117

Pressing (IRE) 6 H GB 117 Rahy’s Attorney (CAN) 5 G CAN 117A Rail Trip (USA) 4 G USA 117 Schiaparelli (GER) 6 H GB 117 117

Sight Winner (NZ) 6 G HK 117D Success Brocken (JPN) 4 C JPN 117

Swiss Ace (AUS) 5 H AUS 117 Thumbs Up (NZ) 5 G HK 117 117D Vermilion (JPN) 7 H JPN 117 Vigor (NZ) 5 G AUS 117

Voila Ici (IRE) 4 C ITY 117116 Al Nasrain (JPN) 5 H JPN 116 116

Bank Robber (AUS) 5 G AUS 116D Benny The Bull (USA) 6 H USA 116

Black Piranha (AUS) 6 G AUS 116 Borderlescott 7 G GB 116D Bribon (FR) 6 G USA 116D Bullsbay (USA) 5 H USA 116

Cannonball (USA) 4 G USA 116D Casino Drive (USA) 4 C JPN 116

Crossharbour 5 H FR 116A Dancing In Silks (USA) 4 G USA 116

Dao Dao (AUS) 6 G AUS 116 El Segundo (NZ) 8 G AUS 116

Flamingo Fantasy (GER) 4 C GER 116A Georgie Boy (USA) 4 G USA 116

Just As Well (USA) 6 H USA 116D Kane Hekili (JPN) 7 H JPN 116

Karelian (USA) 7 G USA 116Kirklees (IRE) 5 H GB 116T 116AMac Love 8 G GB 116 116

Magical Fantasy (USA) 4 F USA 116Metal Bender (NZ) 4 G AUS 116

More Bountiful (NZ) 5 G HK 116Niconero (AUS) 8 G AUS 116 116

A Parading (USA) 6 H USA 116Poet 4 C IRE 116 116

Pompeii Ruler (AUS) 7 G AUS 116Premio Loco (USA) 5 G GB 116

Purple Moon (IRE) 6 G GB 116Rebel Raider (AUS) 4 C AUS 116

Road To Rock (AUS) 5 H AUS 116D Seattle Smooth (USA) 4 F USA 116D Smooth Air (USA) 4 C USA 116

Spring House (USA) 7 G USA 116 Stotsfold 6 G GB 116

Super Hornet (JPN) 6 H JPN 116 Theseo (AUS) 6 G AUS 116 116D Two Step Salsa (USA) 4 C USA 116 116 Veracity 5 H GB 116

Virtual 4 C GB 116 Vision And Power (NZ) 7 G AUS 116 116

Zipping (AUS) 8 G AUS 116 116115 Air Shady (JPN) 8 H JPN 115

Alexandros 4 C GB 115 Alpine Rose (FR) 4 F FR 115

Arabian Gleam 5 H GB 115 Asakusa Kings (JPN) 5 H JPN 115 115A Awesome Gem (USA) 6 G USA 115A Balius (IRE) 6 H GB 115

Balthazaar’s Gift (IRE) 6 H GB 115 Bankable (IRE) 5 H GB/UAE 115 115

Racing Post Wednesday, January 13, 2010 9

In response to the debate aboutrespective meritbetweengenerations, the WorldThoroughbredRankingssupervisorycommittee haspublished astatement ofhandicappingpractice. HowardWright providesa summary of thecommittee’s views

RACING has beenblessed with anumber ofexceptionalperformers

competing worldwide in2009, who in the view ofmany fans andcommentators invitecomparison with some ofthe greats from yesteryear.

Arising from thesecomparisons, adversecomment has been passedon the accuracy of currentratings, insofar as thoseaccorded to the currentcrop of champions, mostnotably Sea The Stars, donot accord with the viewfrequently expressed that‘’we have never seen abetter racehorse’’.

jjHistory ofinternationalhandicappingThe first InternationalClassifications in 1977,involving Britain, Franceand Ireland, culminated inthe World ThoroughbredRacehorse Rankings in2004, compiled by a14-strong comprehensiveand genuinely globalhandicapping committee.

Viewed in hindsight andin this evolving context,there is no doubt that thelevel of ratings thatoperated in the first 15years of the Classificationsis not consistent with thelevel that has operatedfrom the early 1990s.

The disparity wasparticularly pronounced inthe first decade after 1977,so one would seriouslyquestion whether such asDancing Brave (141, 1986),

Alleged (140, 1978),Shergar (140, 1981) and ElGran Senor (138, 1984),‘inter alia’, would haveachieved their ratingstoday.

jjAchievinga high ratingThere are essentially twoways in which a horse canshow how good he is at thehighest level: he cancompletely dominate a raceand win by a wide margin,in which case ahandicapper can verify themerit (Shergar); or he candefeat a stellar cast ofcontemporaries of provenmerit (Dancing Brave).

However, there is a typeof horse, especiallyprevalent of late, who maynot be part of a vintagecrop, or will not win inextravagant fashion. He willdo no more than necessaryto win.

A number of exceptionalhorses have fallen into thiscategory recently.

Zarkava, Sea The Starsand Zenyatta wereunbeaten in their mainseasons, but the true extentof their superiority was notreflected in the winningmargin but remained amatter for speculation.

Handicappers canquantify the ability of anextravagant winner and ahorse who is ‘all out‘ invictory, but the winner whokeeps something in reserveis far more problematic.

In domestic handicaps, ahandicapper has to giveeach horse an equal chanceof winning, and is thereforeobliged to estimate the truemargin of superiority of thesnug winner.

Were the handicapper toperform the same estimatein relation to superiority inchampionship races, hecould justifiably be accusedof arbitrariness andsubjectivity, and his opinionwould be impugned ordisrespected on that basis.

So, handicappers areunderstandably intent,within reason, on rating achampion horse on what hehas actually achieved, noton what he could, should orwould have done if theopposition had been better,or if he had chosen toextend himself, etc.

The essential function ofa classification, and thelimitations of a rating ‘perse‘ in certaincircumstances, were wellsummarised by formerInternational ClassificationCommittee chairmanGeoffrey Gibbs, who wrotein 1996:

“There is some confusionas to what a rating nowrepresents and as to thepurpose of the

Classifications.“Many people believe a

rating to represent theabsolute inherent ability ofa particular thoroughbredand, therefore, theClassifications to representthe qualitative assessmentof the breed in any oneyear, or as between oneyear and another.

“This view is no longersustainable, as a rating isnow primarily ameasurement of relativeperformance, and only inparticular circumstanceswill it demonstrate theultimate inherent ability ofa particular thoroughbred.

“This being the case,Classifications are now aretrospective measurementof performances, notnecessarily the inherentabilities of thosethoroughbreds included.

“True inherent ability canonly be gauged whenhorses compete directlywith one another at thehighest level and when theyrace up to their fullmaturity.’’

jjObservationsIt should be apparent fromthe above that horses suchas Sea The Stars, Zarkavaand Zenyatta will never beflattered by their rating, byvirtue of consistentlybeating all-comers butdoing no more thannecessary.

While the level of theirperformances can bemeasured, one can onlysurmise about their ‘trueinherent ability’, as theywere never obliged to showit.

It is impossible to knowhow good these horseswere and the true relativepecking order ‘inter se‘. Yetthese champions are of thesame generation!

If it is difficult toseparate champions of thesame era, as the intensedebate in North Americaabout whether Zenyatta orRachel Alexandra should beHorse of the Yearillustrates, how much moredifficult is it to separatechampions from differenteras?

In assessing truegreatness in athoroughbred the ratingsplaying field is not level, asit clearly favours one typeof individual over another.

Therefore, the rating ahorse receives is notdefinitive as to relativegreatness, as it is not, insome cases, a finiteexpression of a horse’sability. Clearly a morepanoramic perspective mustbe taken, with the rating animportant aspect but onlyone of a number of factorsto be taken into account.

How the decisionsare made and theratings achieved


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Bannaby (FR) 6 H SPA 115 Baughurst (AUS) 8 G AUS 115

Benbaun (IRE) 8 G GB 115 Black Mamba (NZ) 6 M USA 115 115

Buccellati 5 H GB 115 115 Campanologist (USA) 4 C GB 115

Chinchon (IRE) 4 C FR 115A Cloudy’s Knight (USA) 9 G USA 115

Coastal Path 5 H FR 115D Commentator (USA) 8 G USA 115

Confront 4 G GB 115A Cost Of Freedom (USA) 6 G USA 115A Crown Of Thorns (USA) 4 C USA 115 Curtain Call (FR) 4 C GB 115 115

Dancer’s Daughter 5 M SAF 115 Diamondrella 5 M USA 115

Doctor Fremantle 4 C GB 115 Duff (IRE) 6 G IRE 115

Duporth (AUS) 4 C AUS 115 Dynaforce (USA) 6 M USA 115

Earl Of Surrey (ZIM) 6 G SAF 115 Ferneley (IRE) 5 H USA 115D Finallymadeit (USA) 5 H USA 115 Fiumicino (NZ) 6 G AUS 115A Furthest Land (USA) 4 G USA 115D/A Gayego (USA) 4 C USA 115

Global Hunter (ARG) 6 H USA 115 Green Birdie (NZ) 6 G HK 115

Hawkes Bay 7 G HK 115D Indian Blessing (USA) 4 F USA 115

Interpatation (USA) 7 G USA 115 Jay Peg (SAF) 6 H UAE 115

Kamsin (GER) 4 C GER 115 Kapil (SAF) 7 G SAF 115

King’s Apostle (IRE) 5 H GB 115 Laurel Guerreiro (JPN) 5 H JPN 115A Lethal Heat (USA) 4 F USA 115 Light Fantastic (AUS) 5 G AUS 115

Look Here 4 F GB 115 Magadan (IRE) 4 C FR 115

Marchfield (CAN) 5 H CAN 115 Master O’Reilly (NZ) 7 G AUS 115 115

Midships (USA) 4 C USA 115 115 115D Miss Isella (USA) 4 F USA 115

Mourilyan (IRE) 5 H UAE 115 Mr. Sidney (USA) 5 H USA 115

Never Bouchon (JPN) 6 H JPN 115 Nicconi (AUS) 4 C AUS 115

Our Giant (AUS) 6 G SAF 115 115 Packing Winner (NZ) 7 G HK 115 115

Precious Boy (GER) 4 C GER 115D Pyro (USA) 4 C USA 115

Rangirangdoo (NZ) 5 G AUS 115 Red Rocks (IRE) 6 H GB 115

Roman Emperor (NZ) 4 C AUS 115 Royal Discretion (AUS) 5 G AUS 115

Russian Sage (SAF) 5 H UAE 115 Sarrera (AUS) 9 G AUS 115

Scintillo 4 C GB 115 Selmis 5 H ITY 115D Seventh Street (USA) 4 F USA 115 Sniper’s Bullet (AUS) 6 G AUS 115

Starlish (IRE) 4 C FR 115D Swift Temper (USA) 5 M USA 115 115

Telling (USA) 5 H USA 115 Thewayyouare (USA) 4 C IRE 115

Thorn Song (USA) 6 H USA 115 Typhoon Zed (AUS) 6 G AUS 115

Utmost Respect 5 G GB 115 Visit 4 F USA 115

War Artist (AUS) 6 G GB 115114 Adelar (GER) 4 G GER 114

Age Of Reason (UAE) 4 G GB 114 Appel Au Maitre (FR) 5 H NOR 114 114

Cat Junior (USA) 4 C GB 114 Clowance 4 F GB 114

Crime Scene (IRE) 6 G GB 114 Crystal Capella 4 F GB 114

Dream Eater (IRE) 4 C GB 114 Imbongi (SAF) 5 H UAE 114

Lady Marian (GER) 4 F GB 114 Pouvoir Absolu 4 C FR 114 114A Proviso 4 F USA 114

Racinger (FR) 6 H FR 114Rio De La Plata (USA) 4 C GB 114

Sant’antonio (ITY) 4 C ITY 114Traffic Guard (USA) 5 H GB 114

113 Alnadana (IRE) 4 F FR 113Americain (USA) 4 C FR 113

Beacon Lodge (IRE) 4 C GB 113Black Mambazo (IRE) 4 C ITY 113

Chinese White (IRE) 4 F IRE 113Cima de Triomphe (IRE) 4 C GB 113

Forgotten Voice (IRE) 4 G GB 113Heaven Sent 6 M GB 113

La Boum (GER) 6 M FR 113Mariol (FR) 6 G FR 113

Not Just Swing (IRE) 5 H FR 113Poseidon Adventure (IRE)6 H GER 113

Profound Beauty (IRE) 5 M IRE 113Silver Arrow (ITY) 4 G ITY 113

Spacious 4 F GB 113Steele Tango (USA) 4 C GB 113

Summit Surge (IRE) 5 G IRE 113Tazeez (USA) 5 G GB 113 113

Tranquil Tiger 5 H GB 113Vertigineux (FR) 5 H FR 113

112 Armure 4 F FR 112Diabolical (USA) 6 H USA 112

Earl Of Fire (GER) 4 G GER 112Eva’s Request (IRE) 4 F GB 112

Freemusic (IRE) 5 H ITY 112Frozen Fire (GER) 4 C IRE 112

High Standing (USA) 4 G GB 112Ideal World (USA) 4 C FR 112

Kingdom Of Fife 4 G GB 112 112Liang Kay (GER) 4 C GER 112 112

Murcielago (FR) 4 C FR 112Ordnance Row 6 G GB 112

Perfect Stride 4 C GB 112Sassoaloro (GER) 5 H GER 112

Sehrezad (IRE) 4 C GER 112Strike The Deal (USA) 4 C GB 112

Tax Free (IRE) 7 G GB 112The Bogberry (USA) 4 C FR 112

Tiza (SAF) 7 G FR 112B Without A Prayer (IRE) 4 C GB 112 Zaungast (IRE) 5 H GER 112111 All The Aces (IRE) 4 G GB 111 Allied Powers (IRE) 4 C GB 111

Ambassador (GER) 5 H GER 111 Askar Tau (FR) 4 G GB 111

Barshiba (IRE) 5 M GB 111 111 Capitaine Courage (IRE) 4 G FR 111

Charlie Farnsbarns (IRE)5 G GB 111 Court Canibal 4 C FR 111

Gimmy (IRE) 5 G ITY 111 Lauro (GER) 6 H GER 111

Le Big (GER) 5 G GER 111 Les Fazzani (IRE) 5 M GB 111 111

Mad Rush (USA) 5 G GB 111 Munsef 7 G GB 111

Pointilliste (USA) 6 H FR 111 Pont Des Arts (FR) 5 H GER 111

Shemima 4 F FR 111 111 Tastahil (IRE) 5 G GB 111

Wiesenpfad (FR) 6 H GER 111110 Aspectus (IRE) 6 H GER 110

Asset (IRE) 6 G GB 110 110 Beach Bunny (IRE) 4 F IRE 110

Blue Bajan (IRE) 7 G GB 110 Blue Monday 8 G GB 110

Chopastair (FR) 8 G FR 110 Covert Ambition 4 C GB 110

Dansant 5 H GB 110A 110T Drumfire (IRE) 5 H GB 110

Enroller (IRE) 4 C GB 110 Halicarnassus (IRE) 5 H GB 110 110

Hatta Fort 4 C GB 110 Illustrious Blue 6 H GB 110

Kings Gambit (SAF) 5 G GB 110 Laa Rayb (USA) 5 G GB 110

Lesson In Humility (IRE) 4 F GB 110 Mad About You (IRE) 4 F IRE 110

Muhannak (IRE) 5 G GB 110 Mundybash 4 C FR 110

Prince Flori (GER) 6 H GER 110 Rockhorse (IRE) 4 G ITY 110

Saphira’s Fire (IRE) 4 F GB 110 Tres Rapide (IRE) 4 F FR 110

Unnefer (FR) 4 C GB 110 Vol de Nuit 8 H ITY 110

Win For Sure (GER) 4 G GER 110 Young Tiger (FR) 8 G FR 110

Racing Post Wednesday, January 13, 2010 11WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS

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Colt Filly2009 Sea The Stars......................136 Chinese White ....................113

................................................ Profound Beauty ................1132008 New Approach ..................130 Lush Lashes........................1192007 Dylan Thomas ....................129 Peeping Fawn ....................1222006 George Washington ..........127 Alexander Goldrun ............119

................................................ Finsceal Beo ......................1192005 Azamour ............................126 Alexander Goldrun ............119

j jFull Irish Classications: main paper, page 50

IRISH CHAMPIONS

136 Sea The Stars (IRE) C IRE 136 131129 Rip Van Winkle (IRE) C IRE 129 129128 Fame And Glory C IRE 128 128127D Rachel Alexandra (USA) F USA 127125 Cavalryman C FR 125124 Mastercraftsman (IRE) C IRE 124123D Summer Bird (USA) C USA 123 121122 Courageous Cat (USA) C USA 122D Mine That Bird (USA) G USA 122

So You Think (NZ) C AUS 122 122 Stacelita (FR) F FR 122

Zacinto C GB 122121 Delegator C GB 121D Musket Man (USA) C USA 121D Quality Road (USA) C USA 119 121

Varenar (FR) C FR 121120A Gitano Hernando C GB 120

Le Havre (IRE) C FR 120 Midday F GB 120

Sariska F GB 120 Silver Frost (IRE) C FR 120

Wiener Walzer (GER) C GER 120119D Careless Jewel (USA) F USA 119 119

Golden Sword C IRE 119 Masterofthehorse (IRE) C IRE 119

Shalanaya (IRE) F FR 119A Zensational (USA) R USA 119118 Ghanaati (USA) F GB 118 Jukebox Jury (IRE) C GB 118

Logi Universe (JPN) C JPN 118 Lord Shanakill (USA) C GB 118

Total Gallery (IRE) C GB 118117 Age Of Aquarius (IRE) C IRE 117

Alwaary (USA) C GB 117 Art Connoisseur (IRE) C GB 117D/A Blame (USA) C USA 117 Buena Vista (JPN) F JPN 117

Cirrus Des Aigles (FR) G FR 117 Daryakana (FR) F FR 117D Dunkirk (USA) C USA 117 Elusive Wave (IRE) F FR 117

Finjaan C GB 117 Fuisse (FR) C FR 117

Gan Amhras (IRE) C IRE 117D I Want Revenge (USA) C USA 117

Mastery C GB 117 Mourayan (IRE) C IRE 117

Oiseau de Feu (USA) C FR 117 Starspangledbanner (AUS) C AUS 117

Sweet Hearth (USA) F FR 117D Vineyard Haven (USA) C USA 117

Wajir (FR) C FR 117116 Antara (GER) F GER 116

Board Meeting (IRE) F FR 116D/A Capt. Candyman Can (USA) G USA 116

Gozzip Girl (USA) F USA 116D Hold Me Back (USA) C USA 116

Irian (GER) C GER 116 Kite Wood (IRE) C GB 116 116

Lahaleeb (IRE) F GB 116A Man Of Iron (USA) C IRE 116

Manhattan Rain (AUS) C AUS 116 Monaco Consul (NZ) C AUS 116

Monitor Closely (IRE) C GB 116D Munnings (USA) C USA 116

Rainbow View (USA) F GB 116 Tamazirte (IRE) F FR 116

The Usual Q. T. (USA) G USA 116 Turati C ITY 116

Unrivaled (JPN) C JPN 116 Wanted (AUS) C AUS 116115 Ashalanda (FR) F FR 115 Denman (AUS) C AUS 115

Father Time C GB 115D Flying Private (USA) C USA 115

Forgettable (JPN) C JPN 115D Friesan Fire (USA) C USA 115D Girolamo (USA) C USA 115 High Heeled (IRE) F GB 115

Hot Cha Cha (USA) F USA 115D Old Fashioned (USA) C USA 115

Phelan Ready (AUS) G AUS 115A Pioneerof The Nile (USA) C USA 115

Red Desire (JPN) F JPN 115 Sayif (IRE) C GB 115

A Stardom Bound (USA) F USA 115 Take The Points (USA) C USA 115

Three Rolls (JPN) C JPN 115 Zafisio (IRE) C GB 115114 Black Bear Island (IRE) C IRE/USA 114 Border Patrol C GB 114

Debussy (IRE) C GB 114 Evasive C GB 114

Manighar (FR) G FR 114 Naaqoos C FR 114

Ouqba C GB 114 Prince Siegfried (FR) G GB 114

Westphalia (IRE) C IRE 114113 Ashram (IRE) G GB 113

Beheshtam (FR) C FR 113 Cashelgar (IRE) C FR 113

Cutlass Bay (UAE) C FR 113 Deposer (IRE) G GB 113

Eliot (GER) C GER 113 Fantasia F GB 113

Freemantle C IRE 113 113 Holberg (UAE) C GB 113

Libano (IRE) C IRE 113 Moneycantbuymelove (IRE) F GB 113

Night Magic (GER) F GER 113 Plumania F FR 113 113

Reggane F FR 113 Strawberrydaiquiri F GB 113

World Heritage C FR 113112 Aizavoski (IRE) C FR 112

Amour Propre C GB 112 Changingoftheguard (IRE) C IRE 112

Claremont (IRE) C FR 112 Donativum G GB 112

Glass Harmonium (IRE) C GB 112 112 Harbinger C GB 112

Laaheb G GB 112 Los Cristianos (FR) C FR 112

On Est Bien (IRE) C FR 112 Palavicini (USA) C GB 112 112

Proportional F FR 112 Rayeni (IRE) C IRE 112

Roman Empress (IRE) F IRE 112 Sans Frontieres (IRE) C GB 112

Smooth Operator (GER) G GER 112 112 Soberania (GER) F GER 112

Sordino (GER) C GER 112 Touch Of Hawk (FR) C NOR 112

Toughness Danon C GER 112111 Celimene (IRE) F FR 111

Handsome Maestro (IRE) C FR 111 Homebound (USA) F FR 111

Huntdown (USA) C GB 111 Intense Focus (USA) C IRE 111

Schiller Danon (GER) C GER 111 Serva Jugum (USA) C GB 111

Soneva (USA) F FR 111 Walero (GER) C GER 111110 Again (IRE) F IRE 110 Calvados Blues (FR) C FR 110 110

City Style (USA) G GB 110 Crowded House C GB 110

Cuis Ghaire (IRE) F IRE 110 Feels All Right (IRE) C FR 110

Golden Century (USA) C FR 110 King Of Sydney (USA) C GER 110

Nashmiah (IRE) F GB 110 Querari (GER) C GER 110

Roses For The Lady (IRE) F IRE 110 Saphir (GER) C GER 110

Secrecy G GB 110 Spring Of Fame (USA) C GB 110

Sri Putra C GB 110 110 Triple Aspect (IRE) C GB 110

Vocalised (USA) C IRE 110


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EUROPEAN TWO-YEAR-OLDS

Two-year-old

1981 Green Forest 128

1980 Storm Bird 128

1979 Dragon, Monteverdi 123

1978 Tromos 129

1982 Diesis 127

1983 El Gran Senor 128

1984 Kala Dancer 124

1985 Bakharoff 123

1986 Reference Point 127

1987 Ravinella, Warning 125

1988 High Estate 125

1989 Machiavellian 125

1990 Hector Protector 126

1991 Arazi 130

1992 Zafonic 125

1993 Grand Lodge 120

1994 Celtic Swing 130

1995 Alhaarth 126

1996 Revoque 123

1997 Xaar 127

1998 Mujahid 123

1999 Fasliyev 125

2000 Minardi 123

2001 Johannesburg 126

2002 Oasis Dream 123

2003 Bago 121

2004 Shamardal 123

2005 George Washington 124

2009 St Nicholas Abbey 124

2006 Teofilo 123

2007 New Approach 126

2008 Mastercraftsman 122

Three-year-old

1981 Shergar 140

1980 Moorestyle 131

1979 Three Troikas 137

1978 Ile de Bourbon 135

1977 Alleged 138

1982 Golden Fleece 134

1983 Shareef Dancer 133


1985 Slip Anchor 135

1986 Dancing Brave 141


1988 Warning 133

1989 Old Vic, Zilzal 134

1990 Dayjur 133

1991 Generous 137

1992 St Jovite 135

1993 Zafonic 130

1994 Balanchine 130

1995 Lammtarra 130

1996 Helissio 134


1998 Desert Prince 128

1999 Montjeu 135

2000 Sinndar 132

2001 Point Given 130


2003 Dalakhani 132

2004 Smarty Jones 128

2005 Hurricane Run 130

2006 Bernardini, Discreet Cat 128

2007 Authorized, Curlin 129

2008 New Approach 130

Four-year-old +

1981 Northjet 132

1980 Ela-Mana-Mou 130

1979 Ile de Bourbon 135

1978 Alleged 140

1977 Balmerino, Orange Bay 134

1982 Kalaglow 133

1983 All Along 132

1984 Teenoso 135

1985 Rainbow Quest, Sagace 133

1986 Shardari 132

1987 Mtoto 134

1988 Miesque 132

1989 Carroll House 128

1990 Old Vic 130

1991 Epervier Bleu, Priolo 126

1992 Pistolet Bleu 129

1993 Opera House 129

1994 Maroof 128

1995 Cigar 1st time USA included 132

1996 Cigar 135

1997 Pilsudski 134

1998 Skip Away 131

1999 Daylami 135


2001 Sakhee 133

2002 Marienbard 127

2003 Hawk Wing 133



2006 Invasor 129

2007 Manduro 131

2008 Curlin 130

Overall Champion

1981 Shergar 140

1980 Moorestyle 131

1979 Three Troikas 137

1978 Alleged 140

1977 Alleged 138

1982 Golden Fleece 134

1983 Shareef Dancer 133


1985 Slip Anchor 135

1986 Dancing Brave 141


1988 Warning 133

1989 Old Vic, Zilzal 134

1990 Dayjur 133

1991 Generous 137

1992 St Jovite 135

1993 Zafonic 130

1994 Balanchine 130


1996 Cigar 135


1998 Skip Away 131

1999 Daylami, Montjeu 135


2001 Sakhee 133


2003 Hawk Wing 133



2006 Invasor 129

2007 Manduro 131

2008 New Approach, Curlin 130

2009 Sea The Stars 136 2009 Sea The Stars 1362009 Goldikova 130

Sprinter1991 Polish Patriot 126

1992 Sheikh Albadou 127

1993 Wolfhound 125

1994 Lochsong 126

1995 Lake Coniston, Holy Bull 127

1996 Anabaa 127

1997 Compton Place, Elnadim,Royal Applause 121

1998 Reraise 122

1999 Stravinsky 127

2000 Namid, Kona Gold 127

2001 Delaware Township, Kona Gold 127

2002 Orientate 124

2003 Oasis Dream 125

2004 Pico Central, Silent Witness 123

2005 Silent Witness 123

2006 Absolute Champion 120

2007 Sacred Kingdom 121

2008 Midnight LuteSacred Kingdom 123

2009 Sacred KingdomScenic Blast 122

Miler1989 Zilzal 134

1990 Royal Academy 129

1991 Selkirk 128

1992 Selkirk 128

1993 Zafonic 130

1994 Distant View, Maroof 128


1996 Cigar 135

1997 Formal Gold 127

1998 Skip Away 131

1999 Sendawar, Dubai Millennium 127

2000 Observatory 126

2001 Slickly, Kurofune 125


2003 Hawk Wing 133

2004 Ghostzapper, Rakti 123


2006 Discreet Cat 128

2007 Manduro 126

2008 Curlin 130

2009 Goldikova 130

Middle1990 Saumarez 132

1991 Generous 137

1992 St Jovite 135

1993 Opera House 129

1994 Balanchine 130


1996 Helissio 134


1998 Skip Away 131

1999 Daylami, Montjeu 135


2001 Sakhee 133

2002 Marienbard 127

2003 Dalakhani 132



2006 Invasor 129

2007 Manduro 131

2009 Sea The Stars 136

2008 New ApproachCurlin 130

Stayer1989 Michelozzo 123

1990 Snurge 123

1991 Toulon 122

1992 User Friendly 122

1993 Vintage Crop 119

1994 Vintage Crop 118

1995 Strategic Choice 120

1996 Oscar Schindler 123

1997 Might And Power 124

1998 Kayf Tara 120

1999 Mutafaweq 123

2000 Kayf Tara 122

2001 Bienamado 123

2002 Vinnie Roe 119

2003 Bollin Eric, Mr Dinos 119

2004 Rule Of Law 120

2005 Makybe Diva 124

2006 Deep Impact 123

2007 Septimus 122

2009 Yeats 122

2008 Septimus, Yeats, Conduit 122

124 St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) (A. P. O’Brien) C IRE120 Passion For Gold (USA) (Saeed Bin Suroor) C GB119 Jan Vermeer (IRE) (A. P. O’Brien) C IRE118 Arcano (IRE) (B. J. Meehan) C GB

Canford Cliffs (IRE) (R. Hannon) C GBSiyouni (FR) (A. de Royer Dupre) C FR

A Vale Of York (IRE) (Saeed Bin Suroor) C GB117 Awzaan (M. Johnston) C GB

Beethoven (IRE) (A. P. O’Brien) C IREPounced (USA) (J. H. M. Gosden) C GBSpecial Duty (Mme C. Head-Maarek) F FR

116 Arctic (IRE) (Tracey Collins) C IREFencing Master (A. P. O’Brien) C IREHearts Of Fire (Pat Eddery) C GBKingsfort (USA) (K. Prendergast) C IREXtension (IRE) (C. G. Cox) C GB

115 Chabal (IRE) (J. S. Bolger) C IREElusive Pimpernel (USA) (J. L. Dunlop) C GBJealous Again (USA) (Wesley A. Ward) F USA

Radiohead (B. J. Meehan) C GBSteinbeck (IRE) (A. P. O’Brien) C IRE

114 Awesome Act (USA) (J. Noseda) C GBBuzzword (Saeed Bin Suroor) C GBOrpen Grey (IRE) (Tom Dascombe) G GBRosanara (FR) (A. de Royer Dupre) F GBShowcasing (J. H. M. Gosden) C GBZanzibari (USA) (A. Fabre) C FR

113 Joshua Tree (IRE) (A. P. O’Brien) C IRELady Of The Desert (USA) (B. J. Meehan) F GB

112 Alfred Nobel (IRE) (A. P. O’Brien) C IREDick Turpin (IRE) (R. Hannon) C GBEmerald Commander (R. Hannon/S Bin Suroor) C GBLope de Vega (IRE) (A. Fabre) C FRLucky General (IRE) (R. Hannon) C GBPoet’s Voice (Saeed Bin Suroor) C GBSilver Grecian (J. Ryan) C GB

111 Angel’s Pursuit (IRE) (R. Hannon) C GB

Monsieur Chevalier (IRE) (R. Hannon) C GBOrpen Shadow (IRE) (B. Grizzetti) C ITYOur Jonathan (K. A. Ryan) C GB

110 Air Chief Marshal (IRE) (A. P. O’Brien) C IREAl Zir (USA) (Saeed Bin Suroor) C GBCape Blanco (IRE) (A. P. O’Brien) C IREDancing David (IRE) (B. J. Meehan) C GBDolled Up (IRE) (R. Collet) F FREightfold Path (USA) (P. Bary) C FRFree Judgement (USA) (J. S. Bolger) C IREHibaayeb (C. E. Brittain) F GBLayali Al Andalus (M. Johnston) C GBMikhail Glinka (IRE) (A. P. O’Brien) C IREMisheer (C. E. Brittain) F GBMusic Show (IRE) (M. R. Channon) F GBNeatico (GER) (P. Schiergen) C GERTermagant (IRE) (K. Prendergast) F IREViscount Nelson (USA) (A. P. O’Brien) C IREWaseet (J. L. Dunlop) C GB

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