Search
where the horse is always the hero
Article Item  
Posted 2010-01-12 18:30:19  
WORLD THOROUGHBRED RANKINGS 2009 - YEAR OF THE EXCEPTIONAL

 The outstanding colt of 2009 was the remarkable Christopher Tsui (pictured) owned Irish horse SEA THE STARS (IRE) [136] who remained undefeated throughout the season in notching up no less than 6 prestigious Group 1 wins in Ireland, England and France. His best performance, in the view of the Handicappers, took place at Leopardstown in the Tattersalls

Millions Irish Champion Stakes (G1) in September, when he comfortably defeated the impressive Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner FAME AND GLORY (GB) [128] and multiple Group 1 winner MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE) [124]. His rating of 136 is by far the highest rating accorded a racehorse since the World Thoroughbred Rankings were launched in 2004 (the highest previously was Manduro (GER) [131] in 2007) and is the highest rating awarded since the French colt Peintre Celebre (USA) was rated 137 (under the former International Classifications back in 1997).

2009 marked the return of two outstanding fillies from 2008 who achieved even higher rank this year, namely the French-trained GOLDIKOVA (IRE) [130] and the North American mare ZENYATTA (USA) [128], and also the emergence of another exceptional filly, the North American three year old RACHEL ALEXANDRA (USA) [127].

GOLDIKOVA (IRE) [130] is the best filly/mare miler since her compatriot Miesque (FR) [132] (1987/1988) over twenty years ago and like that remarkable filly, she has managed to win back to back TVG Breeders’ Cup Miles. However, her best performance, in the view of the Handicappers, was her magnificent romp in the Prix du Haras de Fresney Le Buffard Jacques Le Marois (G1) at Deauville in August.

ZENYATTA (USA) [128] created history by becoming the first filly/mare ever to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic amid joyous scenes of jubilation at Santa Anita in November, and has now retired unbeaten after 14 wins. She is the highest rated filly/mare on a non turf surface since Inside Information (USA) [129] back in 1995. That was the year that North America joined the International Classification process, and since then no three year old filly on a non turf surface has come near to matching the achievements of RACHEL ALEXANDRA (USA) [127], who equally created history in defeating the colts in the Preakness Stakes (G1) but whose best performance, the handicappers consider, was in the Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park in August.

Quite apart from this array of exceptional performers, there were a number of other notable achievements worldwide during 2009. The top older sprinters in the world were Australian

trained SCENIC BLAST (AUS) [122], who travelled to Royal Ascot and won the King’s Stand Stakes (G1), having previously won at Group 1 level in the Coolmore Lightning Stakes (G1) at Flemington back in January, and the Hong Kong trained gelding SACRED KINGDOM (AUS) [122], who won the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Sprint (G1) once again but who also travelled overseas and won the Krisflyer International Sprint (SIN G1). In the process, he edged out the Singapore trained gelding ROCKET MAN (AUS) [121], whose performance in this race, even in defeat, was the best performance by a three year old sprinter in the world during 2009.

SACRED KINGDOM (AUS

) [122] deserves special credit, as 2009 is the third consecutive year in which he has been assessed as either the clear top (in 2007) or the joint top sprinter (in 2008, along with Midnight Lute (USA)) in the world.

Irish three year old colt RIP VAN WINKLE (IRE) [129] was somewhat overshadowed by compatriot SEA THE STARS (IRE) [136], who defeated him in the Coral Eclipse Stakes (G1) over ten furlongs, but he was equally good at a mile and his impressive performance in defeating PACO BOY (IRE) [124] in the BGC Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood in July has been recognized by the handicappers as the best performance by a three year old miler since Mark of Esteem (GB) [133] back in 1996. His stablemate YEATS (IRE) [122] created history by becoming the first horse to win 4 Ascot Gold Cups in the process being accorded the accolade of Top Stayer in the world in 2009 a distinction he also shared in 2008.

Rank  Rating Horse  Race Run
1 136 Sea The Stars (IRE) IRE
  131 Sea The Stars (IRE) FR
2 130 Goldikova (IRE) FR
3 129 Rip Van Winkle (IRE) GB
4 128 Fame And Glory (GB) IRE
4 128 Zenyatta (USA)  USA
6 127 Rachel Alexandra (USA) USA
7 125 Cavalryman (GB) FR
7 125 Conduit (IRE) GB/FR/USA
7 125 Gio Ponti (USA) USA
7 125 Gladiatorus (USA) UAE
7 125 Youmzain (IRE) FR
12 124 Mastercraftsman (IRE) GB/IRE
12 124 Paco Boy (IRE) GB
12 124 Well Armed (USA) UAE
15 123 Presious Passion (USA) USA
15 123 Summer Bird (USA) USA
15 123 Twice Over (GB) USA
15 123 Vision d'Etat (FR) HK
19 122 Company (JPN) JPN
19 122 Courageous Cat (USA) USA
19 122 Dream Journey (JPN) JPN
19 122 Getaway (GER) GER
19 122 Good Ba Ba (USA) HK
19 122 Mine That Bird (USA) USA
19 122 Sacred Kingdom (AUS) SIN
19 122 Scenic Blast (AUS) AUS/GB
19 122 So You Think (NZ) AUS
19 122 Stacelita (FR) FR
19 122 Tartan Bearer (IRE) GB
19 122 Viewed (AUS) AUS
19 122 Yeats (IRE) GB
19 122 Zacinto (GB) GB
33 121 Ask (GB) GB
33 121 Casual Conquest (IRE) IRE
33 121 Delegator (GB) GB
  121 Mastercraftsman (IRE) IRE 
33 121 Mawatheeq (USA) GB
33 121 Musket Man (USA) USA
33 121 Oken Bruce Lee (JPN) JPN
33 121 Pocket Power (SAF) SAF
33 121 Quality Road (USA)  USA
33 121 Rocket Man (AUS) SIN
  121 Summer Bird (USA) USA
33 121 Varenar (FR) FR
43 120 Aqlaam (GB) FR
43 120 Collection (IRE) HK
43 120 Court Vision (USA) USA
43 120 Dar Re Mi (GB) FR
43 120 Deep Sky (JPN) JPN
43 120 Einstein (BRZ) USA
43 120 Fabulous Strike (USA) USA
43 120 Gitano Hernando (GB) USA
43 120 Gloria de Campeao (BRZ) SIN
43 120 Justenuffhumor (USA) USA
43 120 Kodiak Kowboy (USA) USA
43 120 Le Havre (IRE) FR
43 120 Midday (GB) USA
43 120 Never On Sunday (FR) GB
43 120 Presvis (GB) HK
43 120 Sariska (GB) IRE
43 120 Silver Frost (IRE) FR
43 120 Spanish Moon (USA) FR
43 120 Viva Pataca (GB) ex Comic Strip HK
43 120 Vodka (JPN)  JPN
43 120 Whobegotyou (AUS) AUS
43 120 Wiener Walzer (GER) GER
65 119 Alandi (IRE) FR
65 119 Albertus Maximus (USA) USA
65 119 All Silent (AUS) AUS
65 119 Apache Cat (AUS) AUS
65 119 Big City Man (USA) UAE
65 119 Bronze Cannon (USA)  GB
65 119 Careless Jewel (USA) USA
65 119 Champs Elysees (GB) CAN
65 119 Colonel John (USA) USA
65 119 Egyptian Ra (NZ) HK
65 119 Golden Sword (GB) GB
65 119 Happy Zero (AUS) HK
65 119 Life Is Sweet (USA) USA
65 119 Macho Again (USA)  USA
65 119 Masterofthehorse (IRE) GB
65 119 Matsurida Gogh (JPN) JPN
  119 Quality Road (USA)  USA
65 119 Quijano (GER) CAN
65 119 Richard's Kid (USA) USA
65 119 Screen Hero (JPN) JPN
65 119 Shalanaya (IRE) FR
65 119 Takeover Target (AUS) AUS
65 119 Zensational (USA) USA
87 118 Archipenko (USA) UAE
87 118 California Flag (USA) USA
87 118 Cesare (GB) GB
87 118 Efficient (NZ) AUS
87 118 Espoir City (JPN) JPN
87 118 Fellowship (NZ) (ex Walsburgs Pride) HK
87 118 Fleeting Spirit (IRE) GB
87 118 Ghanaati (USA) GB
87 118 Heart Of Dreams (AUS) AUS
87 118 Icon Project (USA)  USA
87 118 Informed Decision (USA) USA
87 118 Jaguar Mail (JPN) HK
87 118 Jukebox Jury (IRE) GER/CAN
87 118 Kasbah Bliss (FR) FR/HK
87 118 Kingsgate Native (IRE) GB
87 118 Logi Universe (JPN) JPN
87 118 Lord Shanakill (USA) GB/FR  
87 118 Maldivian (NZ) AUS
87 118 Music Note (USA) USA
87 118 One World (AUS) HK
87 118 Pipedreamer (GB) FR
87 118 Pure Clan (USA) USA
87 118 Racing To Win (AUS) AUS
87 118 Regal Parade (GB) GB
87 118 Sahpresa (USA) GB
87 118 Sakura Mega Wonder (JPN) JPN
87 118 Scenic Shot (AUS) AUS
87 118 Total Gallery (IRE) FR
87 118 Trincot (FR) FR
87 118 Typhoon Tracy (AUS) AUS
87 118 Ventura (USA) CAN/USA
  118 Ventura (USA) USA
118 117 Adlerflug (GER) FR
118 117 Age Of Aquarius (IRE) FR
118 117 Alamosa (NZ) AUS
118 117 Alwaary (USA) GB
118 117 Art Connoisseur (IRE)  GB
118 117 Asiatic Boy (ARG) UAE/USA
118 117 Blame (USA) USA
118 117 Buena Vista (JPN) JPN
118 117 Cirrus des Aigles (FR) FR/HK
118 117 City Leader (IRE) GB
118 117 Cowboy Cal (USA) USA
118 117 Danleigh (AUS) AUS
118 117 Daryakana (FR) HK
118 117 Duncan (GB) GB
118 117 Dunkirk (USA) USA
118 117 Eastern Anthem (IRE) UAE/GER/GER
118 117 Elusive Wave (IRE) FR
118 117 Famous Name (GB) IRE/FR/FR
118 117 Faridat (USA) JPN
118 117 Finjaan (GB) GB
118 117 Forever Together (USA) USA/CAN
118 117 Fuisse (FR) FR
118 117 Gan Amhras (IRE) GB
118 117 Geordieland (FR) GB
118 117 Grand Couturier (GB) USA
118 117 Gris de Gris (IRE) FR
118 117 I Want Revenge (USA) USA
118 117 J J The Jet Plane (SAF) UAE/GB/GB
118 117 Joy And Fun (NZ) HK
118 117 Kip Deville (USA) USA
118 117 Loup Breton (IRE) FR
118 117 Lucky Secret (AUS) AUS
118 117 Main Aim (GB) GB
118 117 Marsh Side (USA) CAN
118 117 Mastery (GB) GB
118 117 Meiner Kitz (JPN) JPN
118 117 Mic Mac (AUS) AUS
118 117 Monterey Jazz (USA) USA
118 117 Mourayan (IRE) IRE
118 117 Oiseau de Feu (USA) FR
118 117 Patkai (IRE) GB
118 117 Predatory Pricer (AUS) AUS
118 117 Pressing (IRE) GER
118 117 Rahy's Attorney (CAN) CAN
118 117 Rail Trip (USA) USA
118 117 Schiaparelli (GER) FR/ITY
118 117 Sight Winner (NZ) (ex Mr Richards) HK
118 117 Starspangledbanner (AUS) AUS
118 117 Success Brocken (JPN) JPN
118 117 Sweet Hearth (USA) FR
118 117 Swiss Ace (AUS) AUS
118 117 Thumbs Up (NZ) HK
118 117 Vermilion (JPN) JPN
118 117 Vigor (NZ) AUS
118 117 Vineyard Haven (USA) USA
118 117 Voila Ici (IRE) ITY
118 117 Wajir (FR) FR
175 116 Al Nasrain (JPN) JPN
175 116 Antara (GER) GER
175 116 Bank Robber (AUS) AUS
175 116 Benny The Bull (USA) USA
175 116 Black Piranha (AUS) AUS
175 116 Board Meeting (IRE) FR
175 116 Borderlescott (GB) GB
175 116 Bribon (FR) USA
175 116 Bullsbay (USA) USA
175 116 Cannonball (USA) GB
175 116 Capt Candyman Can (USA) USA
175 116 Casino Drive (USA) JPN
175 116 Crossharbour (GB) FR
175 116 Dancing In Silks (USA) USA
175 116 Dao Dao (AUS) HK
175 116 El Segundo (NZ) AUS
175 116 Flamingo Fantasy (GER) GER
175 116 Georgie Boy (USA) USA
175 116 Gozzip Girl (USA) USA
175 116 Hold Me Back (USA) USA
175 116 Irian (GER) GER/FR
175 116 Just As Well (USA) USA
175 116 Kane Hekili (JPN) JPN
175 116 Karelian (USA) USA
175 116 Kirklees (IRE) GB
  116 Kirklees (IRE) UAE/GB
175 116 Kite Wood (IRE) GB
175 116 Lahaleeb (IRE) CAN
175 116 Mac Love (GB) GB
175 116 Magical Fantasy (USA) USA
175 116 Man Of Iron (USA) USA
175 116 Manhattan Rain (AUS) AUS
175 116 Metal Bender (NZ) AUS
175 116 Monaco Consul (NZ) AUS
175 116 Monitor Closely (IRE) GB
175 116 More Bountiful (NZ) HK
175 116 Munnings (USA) USA
175 116 Niconero (AUS) AUS
175 116 Parading (USA) USA
175 116 Poet (GB) IRE
175 116 Pompeii Ruler (AUS) AUS
175 116 Premio Loco (USA) GER
175 116 Purple Moon (IRE) UAE
175 116 Rainbow View (USA) IRE
175 116 Rebel Raider (AUS) AUS
175 116 Road To Rock (AUS) AUS
175 116 Seattle Smooth (USA) USA
175 116 Smooth Air (USA) USA
175 116 Spring House (USA) USA
175 116 Stotsfold (GB) USA/FR
175 116 Super Hornet (JPN) JPN
175 116 Tamazirte (IRE) FR
175 116 The Usual Q T (USA) USA
175 116 Theseo (AUS) AUS
175 116 Turati (GB) ITY
175 116 Two Step Salsa (USA) UAE
175 116 Unrivaled (JPN) JPN
175 116 Veracity (GB) UAE 
175 116 Virtual (GB) GB
175 116 Vision And Power (NZ) AUS
175 116 Wanted (AUS) AUS
175 116 Zipping (AUS) AUS
236 115 Air Shady (JPN) JPN
236 115 Alexandros (GB) UAE/GB
236 115 Alpine Rose (FR) FR
236 115 Arabian Gleam (GB) GB
236 115 Asakusa Kings (JPN) JPN
236 115 Ashalanda (FR) GB
236 115 Awesome Gem (USA) USA
236 115 Balius (IRE) TUR
236 115 Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) GB
236 115 Bankable (IRE) UAE/SIN
236 115 Bannaby (FR) FR
236 115 Baughurst (AUS) AUS
236 115 Benbaun (IRE) GB
236 115 Black Mamba (NZ) USA
236 115 Buccellati (GB) GB/CAN
236 115 Campanologist (USA) GB
236 115 Chinchon (IRE) HK
236 115 Cloudy's Knight (USA) USA
236 115 Coastal Path (GB) FR
236 115 Commentator (USA) USA
236 115 Confront (GB) GB/HK
236 115 Cost Of Freedom (USA) USA
236 115 Crown Of Thorns (USA) USA
236 115 Curtain Call (FR) FR/IRE
236 115 Dancer's Daughter (GB) SAF
236 115 Denman (AUS) AUS
236 115 Diamondrella (GB) USA
236 115 Doctor Fremantle (GB) GB
236 115 Duff (IRE) IRE
236 115 Duporth (AUS) AUS
236 115 Dynaforce (USA) USA
236 115 Earl Of Surrey (ZIM) SAF
236 115 Father Time (GB) GB
236 115 Ferneley (IRE) CAN/HK
236 115 Finallymadeit (USA) USA
236 115 Fiumicino (NZ) AUS
236 115 Flying Private (USA) USA
236 115 Forgettable (JPN) JPN
236 115 Friesan Fire (USA) USA
236 115 Furthest Land (USA) USA
236 115 Gayego (USA) USA
236 115 Girolamo (USA) USA
236 115 Global Hunter (ARG) USA
236 115 Green Birdie (NZ) HK
236 115 Hawkes Bay (GB) HK
236 115 High Heeled (IRE) GB
236 115 Hot Cha Cha (USA) USA
236 115 Indian Blessing (USA) USA
236 115 Interpatation (USA) USA
236 115 Jay Peg (SAF) UAE
236 115 Kamsin (GER) GER
236 115 Kapil (SAF) SAF
236 115 King's Apostle (IRE) GB
236 115 Laurel Guerreiro (JPN) JPN
236 115 Lethal Heat (USA) USA
236 115 Light Fantastic (AUS) AUS
236 115 Look Here (GB) GB
236 115 Magadan (IRE) FR
236 115 Marchfield (CAN) CAN
236 115 Master O'Reilly (NZ) AUS
236 115 Midships (USA) USA
236 115 Miss Isella (USA) USA
236 115 Mourilyan (IRE) AUS
236 115 Mr Sidney (USA) USA
236 115 Never Bouchon (JPN) JPN
236 115 Nicconi (AUS) AUS
236 115 Old Fashioned (USA) USA
236 115 Our Giant (AUS) SAF
236 115 Packing Winner (NZ) HK
236 115 Phelan Ready (AUS) AUS
236 115 Pioneerof the Nile (USA) USA
236 115 Precious Boy (GER) GER
236 115 Pyro (USA) USA
236 115 Rangirangdoo (NZ) AUS
236 115 Red Desire (JPN) JPN
236 115 Red Rocks (IRE) USA
236 115 Roman Emperor (NZ) AUS
236 115 Royal Discretion (AUS) AUS
236 115 Russian Sage (SAF) UAE
236 115 Sarrera (AUS) AUS
236 115 Sayif (IRE) GB
236 115 Scintillo (GB) FR
236 115 Selmis (GB) ITY
236 115 Seventh Street (USA) USA
236 115 Sniper's Bullet (AUS) AUS
236 115 Stardom Bound (USA) USA
236 115 Starlish (IRE) FR
236 115 Swift Temper (USA) USA
236 115 Take The Points (USA) USA
236 115 Telling (USA) USA
236 115 Thewayyouare (USA) FR
236 115 Thorn Song (USA) USA
236 115 Three Rolls (JPN) JPN
236 115 Typhoon Zed (AUS) AUS
236 115 Utmost Respect (GB) IRE
236 115 Visit (GB) USA
236 115 War Artist (AUS) GER/FR/FR
236 115 Zafisio (IRE) GER

Rate: Views: 674
Email link to a friend | Printable Version
Text Comments
Displaying 26 Results
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (200 days ago)
This is a joke...tell me its a joke....how many grade 1's must Pocket Power win to be in the top 3...these people must show us the evaluation card...Pathetic
Webmaster, South Africa, (2009-02-17 18:19:55) (200 days ago)
Yip, but tell us how does an international handicapper judge our form. The only horse he ran against with international form is Kapil? How did Kapil do in Dubai or HK? How many lengths does he beat Kapil etc etc? These are the questions they would most likely ask, we presume
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (200 days ago)
well said webmaster! imagine a superhorse in argentina or brazil winning a dozen of grade ones - we have no clue about the level of racing and quality of the opposition.. the same applies to horses competing only in their homeland with no international competition.. thats one of the thousand reasons why PP should be competing on foreign shores.. London news paved the way way back.., n its unthinkable that in 2010 a horse such as PP was not given a shot at international fame!
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (200 days ago)
i still believe he was given a fair ranking... he is above horses like dar re mi..
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (199 days ago)
With due respect to the Ranking Authorities, I beg to differ. The ranking system is non-sensical as it does not clarify which graded races are ranked,i.e, contribute to a horses ranking and is internationally plausable. The Grade 1 on each and every continent should be allocated points that contribute to a horses ranking. An Olympic champion is not the same as a World Champion as the athlete has to showcase his ability at that particular event to be crowned as such. In the world of Horseracing it does not only have a subjective criterion but a politically motivated(Financially) undertone. Why does a European Horse have to win 4 Grade 1's and becomes the Worlds highest rated horse, why not a Japanese, Australian, American or African Horse have that privilege. What is evitable is that when our horses go compete on European Soil or Dubai they get weight penalties non inferior to horses who have won the same number of races, when the handicapping is applied. But what does not equate when evaluating the horses ran
sanjay, South Africa, (2009-03-03 19:48:27) (199 days ago)
absolutely ludicrous...this brings shame to our super champion.. so what else must pp conquer to reach say the top 5 rankings in the world because its the first time in horse racing i'm going to use the term ```never ''' will another racehorse accomplish what the great pp had accomplished.
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (199 days ago)
There is only one evalution system in this world that is used effectivelly to measure perfomance-THE BALANCE SCORECARD-Key performance area(KPA) and Key performance indicators(KPI) I have sat down in my anger and slotted in all the areas with objective criteria to find a logic that would make me understand, guess what there is NONE!!! The only logic is a subjective logic-MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!! IF the sponsor of the big event does not get brand value out of the sponsorship-the Gluttons of MONEY MONEY MONEY subjectively adjust the race status and the money pours in. What is a GRADE 1-is a European GR1 superior to a HONG KONG GR1-I dont think so-Its a Grade 1 period. NOW PP for crying out loud won 9 and that is not to mention 3 times in a row, a premier GR1. The Queens Plate has Her Royal Higness's blessing or is it a fake? COME ON- Somebody stop this insanity-"DIE HARD POCKET POWER FAN"-thats me!!!!
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (199 days ago)
If a 100m sprinter breaks the record in South Africa does it stand or; "No....its from Africa, the watch they used is a fake"-Same story with our lady who won the world championships, "No...that must be a boy" Martina Navratilova won Wimbledons and Championships with her masculine physique, I have never heard, "No....she must be a man let her lift her skirt", can somebody stop me...!!!! WHAT GRADE 1 in South Africa has International Recognition?
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (199 days ago)
the answer to your last question is none! there r international races in hong kong, japan, australia, all over europe and the US. Those r the real international horse racing events - not all their group 1s r international groups 1s. Japan for that matter does not open all its top races to foreign horses - probably due to the huge prizes n its probably why they fall in category 2. lemme give u an example if a horse in SA wins 6 top races in Mauritius and another one wins 6 group 1s in south africa, one cannot say that they should have the same ratings- thats simply ridiculous..
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (199 days ago)
there no way you can say for sure who is the best - horses run on different race tracks, surfaces, distances etc.. but somewhere the ratings will make some sense with respect to handicaping when it comes to the top races in the world.. those r the races where international competitors r invited to run - the hong kong cup, japan cup, dubai world cup, the breeder's cup in the US to name a few.. so at the end of the day one can argue that the undefeated ZENYATTA is better than SEA THE STARS... they never met each other in a race.. n what if they did? n ZEN gets to beat STS in the breeder's cup classic.. will that tell us who's the best? hell no! that was on dirt.. n we know STS excels on turf.. but thats another debate altogether.. ur inputs Ray?
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (199 days ago)
Webmaster.. can we have a separate section along with the regular posts following each article on the site... a forum where we can discuss and debate.. instead of coming back to an old article n post comments each time
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (199 days ago)
Nirmal, I love an honest debate, and I think we are on the wave length. The problem is where does the International rating formula find its terms of reference-(1)Does it find it in time taken over the distance(2)The horses that lagged the winner of a particular race(3)The horses ability over multiple distances(4).etc..etc..etc. I will give an example. A sprint(1000m) in Goodwood is not the same as the Vaal. Here's an analogy National Colour, Geordoba, National Title and Mythical Flight will give any sprinter in the world a thorough galloping wallop at the Vaal, but it has never been put to the test. Europes 1000m is equivalent to our 1200m and their 1200m is equivalent to our 1300-1400m give and take. This is where the ratings should find their score-The performance of a horse on a specific course will add a certain amount of points as it underpins the horses ability over that courses trip.As you correctly stated ZENYATTA-magnificent on sand-SEA THE STARS-Turf obliterator- So why is a Turf horse rated more th
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (199 days ago)
against top sorts in Europe but on our turf did nothing, just about turned out average. We need an International rating system for Courses, GR1's, etc. When this is in place then Big Events can send invitations to various countries based on the horse's scorecard(or rating) as they would be in line with an International Standard. To qualify for the Olympics you need to run a certain time, that is the qualifying criteria. Who is the International Governing Body of Horseracing? Thats wher the problem lies, there is no body. Just like all sport, there needs to be a governing body with affiliatiates. STS is Europes Favourite-PP is Africas Favourite-Zenyatta-America
Jason Domingue, Mauritius, (2009-02-27 17:27:51) (199 days ago)
For Pocket Power to be in the top 3, he must compete internationally. Only then we would know if he is worth of being at the top. It is a shame he is not going to compete in Dubai this season, it would have been his only chance of proving that he is a world class runner. Personally I don't think that being in the top 3 world leading horses was in his league this season. I can't see Pocket Power lowering the colours of Sea The Stars (the greatest horse of all time) or Goldikova or Rip Van Winkle. Running in the Dubai Sheema Classic this year would have at least given him a chance to have a crack against international runners and prove his worth. I have no doubt that Pocket Power is a class act but can he hold his own anywhere in the world? We would never know until he makes the trip.
Webmaster, South Africa, (2009-02-17 18:19:55) (198 days ago)
Do you not think that it keeps everything into perspective and to the topic to have your debates in the article concerned? Developing a forum means that it gets out of control quickly and this is not the type of site for personality clashes or egos. We are here for the betterment of racing...Anyone else feel different? P.S You are more than welcome to debate in the comments section, in fact, we encourage it.
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (198 days ago)
Perfect...that matter is settled. Know back to the debate. WM know that you have joined the fray. Is it fair for the racing world to accept a rating system that does not have a critera that is plausable. Which GR1's are not GR1's. We need a body like any other sport. This will encourage a world stage, The Derby in Great Britain, I speak under correction, is limited to GB 3 year olds-correct? Open it up for example to the commonwealth, if we have,eg, Noordhoekflyer and Irish Flame (colts) and Flirtation and Queen Mira (fillies) invited, we then now have a chance to display what we have in those derby's but it needs an intevention such as a body to create those opportunities.PP is not the age to be globe trotting-lets start them at the buds and see what blossoms. If there is no answer-then lets leave the debate and well done to the EU fancied horses.
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (198 days ago)
the is no perfect formula which would tell you who is the best.. this is one question i`ve always asked myself n others.. so how do we determine who`s at the top? who's the champ? which why we love this sport so much.. horse racing starts from the pure sprints of a 1000m to the staying 4000m, due to the amount of speed that has gone into breeding race horses the very best race horses would run in the bracket of 1600m - 2400m.. to get back to your point of sprinters in SA compared to their european counterparts.. we have the example of JJ The Jet Plane (who is still on the intl rankings above).. he was a superhorse in SA but could not make a significant mark in Europe even though he has won once in Dubai.. however war artist who was probably nowhere close to JJ on his SA form went on to compete with some success in Europe n he recently ran in the intl sprint in hong kong.. its not always about where the money is, the japanese for example would sometimes prefer taking their horses to compete in Europe even thou
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (198 days ago)
-gh the prizes to be won back home is much higher, simply because they believe that racing in Europe in the best in the world..turf horses are not rated more than those who run on dirt, we have the examples of Curlin n Ghostzapper who topped the ranking a few years back and they ran only on the dirt.. time recorded on different race tracks cannot be compared, this makes no sense.. the ratings n rakings is a very complex process which i`m still trying to decipher and thinking of a more plausible formula to compare horses from different countries n continents.. i`ve some ideas of my own which i hope would be considered by the IFHA and racing jurisdictions across the globe someday:)
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (198 days ago)
the international governing body is the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA).. they normally meet once a year during the Arc weekend in France.. they discuss a range of issues faced by the horse racing industry.. sending a horse to compete on foreign shores irrespective of an invitation is very complicated - from quarantine regulations and the huge cost involved - it is a very risky thing.. e.g. Candidato Roy - a few yrs back was said to have a great racing future was probably sent to Dubai a little too early and Victory Moon a one time winner in SA went on to be the highest stakes earner ever for a south african horse.. n btw after a successful campaign in dubai Victory Moon was sent to the UK but did not perform to expectations.. on the other hand the horse at no 15 on the rankings with a rating of 123 Vision D'Etat won a G1 in the UK, raced in the arc and then won the intl honk kong cup all in 2009... despite the success he is nowhere close to STS.. trying to find the one who's the u
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (198 days ago)
-ltimate will b an endless debate, but the ratings somewhere would make sense to some extent... n no matter how much we love PP, he's not been given a chance to showcase what he is capable of when it mattered..
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (197 days ago)
If you have studied statistics or performance management you would have summed up your personal observation in 5 lines, but you obviously have not. Every performance in life, whether its racing, employment, vehicles, sports, etc..etc. There is a formula and that formula only requires two things Area of Performance and the measuring tool(Indicator)- Too find a best performer is easily determind but each indicator has to have a value therefore concerning the subject matter: Each Course has to have a rating, each GR1 has to be sanctioned(merited/approved), The performance of the Horse over various distance,eg, a sprint-miler, where has he featured/placed in those distances, that gets averaged and put in the scorecard. Once you have all the relevant factors slotted in the balance scorecard will give you an answer as to where you are amongst other competitors. We can debate this another time, I am coming from a proven and practical theory and you are coming from a logic perspective. TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS ALTOGETHER
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (196 days ago)
i surely do not have in-depth knowledge on how performance can be technically measured.. but rating a horse is far more complicated than rating each G1 and courses since you may still find a sub-standard field competing in a G1 race.. the rating given to a horse at the end of the race is not purely on where he finished at the winning post.. there is one horse in the race who is taken as the one who has run according to it's merit rating and then the performance of horses finishing ahead or behind him is calculated.. horses r not machines, nor do they speak, its definitely not statistics which will give u the de-facto answer on how to rate a horse.. e.g if horse A beats horse B in a race and then horse B goes on to win another 'big' race, the rating of horse A might still be revised upwards even though he is not at the racetrack..
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (196 days ago)
That is precisely my point a horse can blow hot & cold in terms of form but ability will remain. Horses are not machines and cannot talk, the same applies to engines, structures, apptitude test etc you slot in the data and you get an answer. you do not need to speak or be human or machine...we only need data-period. A reference point is only a pivot that gives you direction but not an answer.
errol, United States, (2010-01-01 20:23:40) (196 days ago)
All you guys above are pretty dumb, and as some of you are Saffers ,you really shame me. These rankings are clearly based on speed figures/ratings at the specific conditions for the specifictrack for specific races in 2009, hence Sea the Stars has two figures for two different races ,one run in Ireland and the other in France. A large number of factors at each race track such as wind conditionns at that track, the type of track(turf or dirt or rubberised - various types,), whether the track was fast or slow or wey or muddy, etc., etc., etc., etc.to infinity is fed in to a computer to elicit a speed rating as seen above. Are you all now a little smarter or even wiser? E.T.
Raymond K Smith, South Africa, (2009-02-27 14:49:52) (195 days ago)
E.T go home!!!!!!! You idiot, We never asked for personality opinions!!!
Nirmal, India, (2009-04-11 16:03:37) (194 days ago)
your inputs are uncalled for ET - you bring nothing to the table anyway - why would RP and Timeform have different ratings for the same horse if it was all so straight forward? u better ask yourself some basic questions.. Ray, u have a totally data-centric approach. all the ratings above are based on performances on racecourses around the world put together by a panel of handicappers.. unlike an F1 car where you control the input and you know what you'd get as output, the horse will not tell you what's bothering him on a raceday (thats what i meant horses are not machines).. its not as simple as feeding numbers into a computer and a software generates the ratings.. we are still far from getting clear cut answers as there is still a great deal of subjectivity in the handicappers' justification of the above ratings and hence the difference in opinions..
Add Comment
Post Comment
  • International
    Displaying 10 ResultsSee All
    singspiel put down2010-07-03
    (177 views)

     Darley yesterday announced that Singspiel (Ire) (In the Wings {GB}--Glorious Song, by Halo) h...

    View | Add Comment | 1 Comments
    world thoroughbred rankings2010-05-30
    (347 views)

     QUALITY ROAD (USA) [126] sets the pace in the race to be the top racehorse in the world in 20...

    View | Add Comment | 0 Comments
    dettori powers to german 2000 guineas glory2010-05-24
    (221 views)

     Frankie Dettori timed his run to perfection on Frozen Power to win the German 2000 Guineas at...

    View | Add Comment | 1 Comments
    luen yat forever wins macau's gold cup2010-05-22
    (207 views)

     Australian bred and sold sensation Luen Yat Forever confirmed his star qualities by thumping ...

    View | Add Comment | 0 Comments
    former south african trainer claims malaysia's gold cup gr.12010-04-11
    (497 views)

     Good Nature notched up his second Malaysian classic on Sunday when he edged out Sanjuan in a ...

    View | Add Comment | 0 Comments
    meydan in joint venture to develop tianjin horse city, china2010-03-28
    (360 views)

    Meydan today announced plans for a joint venture project; Tianjin Horse City in China. Tianjin Hors...

    View | Add Comment | 0 Comments
    world's elite focusing on asian mile challenge 20102010-02-01
    (492 views)

     Fans of top class international racing will be looking forward to an exciting Asian Mile Chal...

    View | Add Comment | 3 Comments
    raul stars in malaysian group one2009-12-27
    (516 views)

     Grand international galloper Raul rounded out a memorable weekend of success for Magic Millio...

    View | Add Comment | 3 Comments
    top horses over past 25 years - pick yours?2009-10-14
    (919 views)

     After the retirement of Sea the Stars, one of the greatest horses the world, it is apt to tak...

    View | Add Comment | 13 Comments
    war artist wins in france, set for abbaye2009-09-13
    (729 views)

     War Artist was all class under the urgings of Olivier Peslier as he galloped home to his seco...

    View | Add Comment | 3 Comments